What is a Chemistry Lab?

What is a Chemistry Lab?You might have heard the term 'chemistry lab' used in the context of the workplace but you may not know what it means. This term is often used in reference to the environment in which laboratory tests are performed. As a member of the medical profession, your job would likely include carrying out chemical tests as part of the training you have received.There are certain tasks that should be done in order to perform an accurate chemical test. These tasks include observing the samples being handled, breaking up the samples into small and proper sizes and transferring the sample into the right container. Usually you will be working with a form that contains a certain number of compounds. This form is then divided into two or more parts, so that the different compounds are separated out from each other.The different colors of formulae are then made, put into a sealed container and transferred into an adjacent container. After this has been done, it is time to obse rve the sample again to see if there are any changes or irregularities. This is the most important part of the process.It is recommended that when there is an outside temperature change, this should be observed as well to make sure that the sample remains within a comfortable range for its sample. Normally, it is common to see that this temperature must remain within a particular range. As a matter of fact, some of the test compounds are known to be very sensitive to changes in temperature. An example of this is potassium nitrate, which changes its color when it becomes too hot.The activities that occur in a chemistry lab will be carried out with the use of certain equipment as well. These are chemical instruments such as the Bunsen burner, dyes, and the typical mixers and reagents. A lot of these instruments have to be cleaned after the testing has been performed in order to ensure that they are in good condition.Another important point to consider when running a chemistry lab is t he fact that there are many moving parts. These can cause the environment to become quite reactive and volatile. With this in mind, it is recommended that the staff be trained in handling all these hazardous chemicals so that the individuals will be able to handle them properly.When a laboratory is managed by an individual, the chemicals found inside the space will vary from the chemicals in the environment because of the care with which they are stored and the carefulness with which they are handled. What will also be discussed is the special precautions that have to be taken when handling these chemicals so that there is the least chance of any of the chemicals contaminating other people's life. Safety in any kind of environment is of utmost importance to any employer.Although it is a formal science lab, there is one thing that must be kept in mind - the safety of the laboratory is the most important. With this in mind, it is vital that any chemical that is to be handled be proper ly handled. Not only does this help to keep everyone safe, it helps to keep the environment safe and stable as well.

How You Can Learn About the Atomic Theory of Atoms

How You Can Learn About the Atomic Theory of AtomsIf you are interested in science, you might want to study the atomic theory of atoms. This is a subject that deals with how matter is structured and composed by atoms. The structure of matter is important for understanding science and how it works.Atoms are made up of protons and neutrons. There are seven types of atoms, but each has its own function. When an atom interacts with another, they will fuse together and form a new element. These atoms have different properties that allow them to interact with each other and also the elements that they are bound to.These properties vary greatly among the different atoms. An atom is considered to be composed of two parts, a nucleus and an electron. The bonds between the nuclei and electrons allow them to combine to form a molecule.You can use your research skills to learn more about atoms. There are books and courses available on the internet that will teach you more about atoms. There are a lso classes that you can take at the university or college level if you are already a student.You might want to look into someone's chemistry or physics to help you study this subject. As you learn more about atoms and how they interact with each other, you can gain a better understanding of science. This type of knowledge can be used for future careers in science.If you are a high school student, you can use your skill set in basic chemistry and physics to understand the subject. This will give you a better understanding of the subject and help you find jobs when you graduate.If you are interested in this subject, you should start by learning more about it and the way the subject is created. It might help you in future jobs inscience as well.

What Are the Benefits of Learning English As a Second Language?

What Are the Benefits of Learning English As a Second Language?There are numerous benefits of learning English as a second language. There are many benefits to this that may interest you if you're serious about learning. I have tried to address the benefits of learning English and how they will benefit you. While some of them are much more important than others, each one is extremely important.If you're interested in moving to an area where English is spoken, you'll learn quickly because of the use of the language. It can be hard to learn a new language if you've been in the same country for an extended period of time. One of the best ways to overcome this is to learn the language. Not only will it help you communicate with others in the area, but you'll also be exposed to a different culture and new people. This isn't a bad thing.Some of the other benefits of learning English include some great career opportunities. When you do English as a second language, you will be able to enter the professions, the social arenas, and even the political arena. You can enter this world with ease because you already speak the language. You're also able to enter the workforce and advance your career as you've earned your language. You'll even find yourself able to get a higher paying job because of this.Speaking English can also help you reach out to the elderly and disabled. Many of the elderly and disabled in our society don't have friends and family who speak their native language. Those who do speak English understand the value of learning the language. It's just good to be able to be part of their lives.Speaking English also helps to build international relationships. As I mentioned above, those who speak English are able to reach out to other countries and people. This is something that can be important when you're attempting to sell or trade products overseas.Another benefit of learning English is the fact that you will be a better communicator. When you don't speak th e language, you will often speak slower and lose the power to connect with others. With the power of English, you will be able to be more confident and convey your message easily. This is not something that you'll have the ability to do if you haven't learned the language.In conclusion, there are many benefits of learning English as a second language. It's a wonderful way to increase your life and career and to help your country as well. A language is like any other tool. You can use it to advance your life and achieve your goals.

Should I Go To University of Colorado Denver

Should I Go To University of Colorado Denver The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Kate received her Bachelors degree in Psychology and her Education Specialist degree from University of Colorado Denver. She is currently a tutor in Miami specializing in English tutoring, Public Speaking tutoring, Writing tutoring, and several other subjects. See what she had to say about her experience at University of Colorado Denver: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Kate: One of the best parts of the University of Colorado system is the ability to partake in the full college experience on the Boulder campus, as well as the urban experience on the Denver campus. (Many students take classes in both places.) RTD Denver provides excellent transportation throughout the greater Denver/Boulder area, and it was recently rated one of the top transit systems in the United States. I walked through both campuses at night on many occasions, all without incident. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Kate:Most professors and advisers were accessible and very helpful. In addition, many professors and teaching assistants encouraged undergraduate students to participate in research projects and off-campus internships. One of the advantages of attending University of Colorado Denver was the ability to explore different academic interests while still earning college credits. Opportunities were also available to take graduate-level classes with instructor permission. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Kate:Student housing near the University of Colorado Denver campus was more like living in a downtown apartment than it was living in a university dorm. The housing available on Curtis Street is directly across from the Performing Arts Complex. It is also only a few blocks from the main campus, in the center of downtown Denver. This makes getting to different activities easy. There were many opportunities to socialize with other students, friends at work, and peers in the downtown community. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Kate:I studied Psychology, which was one of the most popular undergraduate programs at University of Colorado Denver, along with Biology and Business. The University of Colorado Denver provided phenomenal support inside and outside of the classroom. The Internship Coordinator helped me secure an internship at Judis House, a world-class counseling center for bereavement. It was easy to contact professors and to help with research I was personally interested in. Additionally, the Scholarship Coordinator was extraordinarily helpful. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Kate:Greek life plays a significant role on the Boulder campus, but it is not very noticeable on the University of Colorado Denver campus. I found it very easy to make friends and meet new people during my first semester at University of Colorado Denver. Personally, I enjoyed the ability to have different groups of friends at school and at work, as well as in extracurricular activities. Denver has a reputation for being an exceptionally friendly city for a reason! After already living downtown, I found it very easy to rent an apartment nearby. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Kate:The Career Center and Student Support Services were very helpful. Many students would drop in for free math or writing tutoring. Similarly, many students would use Student Support Services to help polish their resumes and cover letters. Not many reputable companies actively recruited on campus. However, many students found gainful employment after completing local summer internships. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Kate:The library at University of Colorado Denver was spacious. Students could easily request materials from the medical campus, but the library would always become a bit of a madhouse during finals week. On nice days, many students would choose to study on the lawn or walk to nearby coffee shops. There are also many hidden computer labs on campus. They are almost always empty, and many do not track how many sheets students print. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Kate:Downtown Denver and Boulder are each fun in their own ways. University of Colorado Denver students almost always go to the city center, which is where many student housing units are located. Boulder has more of a college town vibe, and it is an easy bicycle ride away from world-class hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. Even better, it is a quick drive or bus ride from Boulder to Denver (and vice versa). In the winter, students like to visit nearby ski slopes. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Kate:40,000 students attend the Auraria campus, which is shared with University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the Community College of Denver. Academic resources tend to be better due to the shared campus, and students can easily take elective classes from different colleges. Class sizes range from over 100 students to 15 students. Overall, I was pleased with class sizes, and I felt like most professors had enough time to provide individual support to students. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Kate:I enjoyed the opportunities I could find on a large campus. One of the most memorable experiences I had was working as a bereavement counselor at Judis House, a Denver non-profit. I was able to find out what working in the industry was all about while earning credits toward graduation. Additionally, I was able to draw from prior experience working as a research assistant in Dr. Allens Relationship Laboratory at University of Colorado Denver to assist with an ongoing research effort between Judis House and University of Colorado Boulder. Internship and independent study classes largely focused on the experience, which I appreciated. Final papers were usually literature reviews, which helped enrich the experiences instead of detracting from them. Check out Kates tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How To Improve Your Chinese Fast

How To Improve Your Chinese Fast Tips Tricks for your Chinese Lessons ChaptersRe-read the Previous Lessons Carefully Before Your Next Chinese LessonSumming Up Your Chinese Lessons and Making FlashcardsImmerse Yourself in the Chinese Language Just Before Your LessonTrain on Your Favourite Chinese Learning App“There is no single way of learning something.”This maxim, spoken by Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC), well illustrates the fact that any learning methodology needs to be not only efficient, but tailored to each individual student as well in order to better learn and assimilate.For example, when learning Chinese, some students find it more difficult than others to memorise, pronounce and reproduce the tones of the Chinese language, while others have difficulty remembering the Chinese characters, or understanding written Chinese.Our memnonic capabilities are not created equal. Some people have a more oral memory, others a more visual one - in other words, some retain anything they hear spoken while others remember better if they read some thing, as if their eye were taking a mental photograph. Still others need two or three times as long to memorise Chinese characters, for example.Taking Chinese language courses doesn’t just mean showing up at your Mandarin lesson: it’s a long and hard road that requires motivation, discipline and diligence. It requires a daily dose of independent work. Here on Superprof we have worked out four tips to help you arrive at your Chinese class perfectly prepared - a necessary step in the process of learning Mandarin Chinese.Also read these tips for the best ways to learn 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!Discove r all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsRe-read the Previous Lessons Carefully Before Your Next Chinese LessonIt bears repeating: learning Chinese is not easy.This millenia old language goes back to the dawn of history and even the most educated of Chinese - academics and other men and women of letters - don’t know all of the Chinese characters by heart.As you can see, any beginner Chinese student has a long, steep road ahead of them!However, notwithstanding the prospect of rapid progression, getting better at the Chinese language is obviously not impossible.In fact you “only” need to know about 400 Chinese characters - about 2/3 of the most frequently used characters - to get along tolerably after three years of Chinese language courses.But how to get there when you are just starting your beginner Mandarin classes?The main thing is to carefully re-read your lessons as you go. Don’t let it slide or you will be overwhelmed or find yourself with gaps in your knowledge.It is all the more important if you are taking beginner Chinese lessons. Remember:Being attentive in class and listening to your teacher is 50% of the workRe-reading your notes and  reviewing regularly with a clear head makes up the remaining 50%“Memory is the best camera there is” - Kevin Spacey.Here are our recommendations to help you prepare your Chinese lessons and memorise them:Make sure the conditions during your lessons are suitable to learning, allowing you to focus your concentration and keep a good postureWhen you are revising your previous lesson, disconnect all your devices: computer, smartphones, tablets…Take a small break every half hour: 5-10 minutes to have a glass of water or air out your mindAvoid time-consuming distractions such as Facebook or televisionWhen re-reading your Chinese lessons, make notes of things you did not understand so you can ask your Manda rin teacher the next time you see them (a specific translation, Pinyin transcription, the order and direction of the lines in Chinese calligraphy, the meaning of certain Chinese symbols…)Re-read your Mandarin lessons and notes every day: the best time is at night, shortly before going to sleep, as we memorise best at night.You still have trouble learning Mandarin despite these good habits?You still need to take the time to sum things up at regular intervals.Summing Up Your Chinese Lessons and Making FlashcardsSummary flashcards are an excellent way to help you memorise your Chinese language lessons - or, indeed, learn French, English or Spanish - more rapidly.Don’t hesitate to put up posters with Chinese characters to help you work on your Mandarin pronunciation and vocabulary.While I was a student at University, I was rarely stressed out when studying for exams because, instead of re-reading dozens and dozens of longhand A4 sheets, I had previously summed up the main points of the lessons in bullet points on little flashcards. This helped nudge the brain into retaining only the important information, to help me understand without learning by heart.Learning Pinyin becomes easier when you use flashcards. Photo credit: http://klarititemplateshop.com/ via Visualhunt / CC BYYou’re not very organised, even a little lazy?Here are some tips to help you learn Chinese:After each Chinese language class, take up your notes and reformulate them digitally or longhandSum up each part of your Chinese lessons in a few simple bullet points, keeping sentences shortRestructure your class notes so they follow a clear progress: titles, subtitles, bullet pointsColour-code your notes: underline, highlight or circle the essential pointsLook over the key words, definitions, translations of Chinese wordsFigure out mnemonic devices to remember Chinese charactersMake charts and graphs to illustrate points of Chinese grammar or the order of Mandarin charactersMake one flash card per idea: Pinyin transcription, pronouncing the Chinese phonetic alphabet with its 23 initial consonants and 35 final vowels, the tones of Mandarin speech, Chinese grammar rules, the direction of strokes in Chinese calligraphy, Chinese vocabulary by theme…By grouping each lesson into summary flashcards, vocabulary and pronunciation exercises will become easier. For example, you might try repeating these words aloud every day:Learn how to say “hello” in Chinese: « ni hao » (? + ?)Learn how to say “good-bye” in Chinese: « zài jiàn » (? + ?)Review your numbers: ? (two), ? (five)If you can’t contact your Mandarin teacher, get help from the internet.Work daily in smaller chunksWhether you are learning to play the piano or guitar or learning Chinese, there is no point in revising just before your lesson.To assimilate the Chinese language, it’s better to work on it 5 to 10 minute a day than during an intensive, hours-long revision.It can also be helpful to pretend you are in China right now…Why not make use of some of these great Mandarin learning tools, too?Immerse Yourself in the Chinese Language Just Before Your LessonImmerse yourself in the language? Already? But why? Your trip to China isn’t until next year!It’s quite simple: it lets your brain soak up the music of the Chinese language.Since the language of Confucius is a tonal language, its phonemes sound odd to our ears.In order to better understand the aids your teacher will give you in class, it can be helpful to hear Chinese spoken every day by native Mandarin speakers for listening practise.Let’s look at the possibilities:Listen to Chinese, Taiwanese or Singapore newsWatch Chinese movies (if need be, with English subtitles)If you live in a city with a Chinese quarter, go do some of your shopping thereDownload Chinese podcasts suach as this one  or these.Speak Chinese on social networks or with Chinese friends you’ve met on your travels (if you know any)Install a free Chinese lear ning app to listen to one lesson a day and get ahead of your Mandarin course.Watch Chinese films at film festivals in the original language, or else stream them or buy them on dvd or blue ray. Photo credit: digitALWINner via Visualhunt / CC BYWatch Chinese videosIt has been frequently noted that online videos - from YouTube, for example - can help you learn a language easily. Learning Chinese is no different.However, YouTube is not available in China. They use a similar site calledYouku.Of course, a beginner Mandarin student will not understand anything and it is important to know some basics of the Chinese language and understand spoken Chinese to follow the videos.However, even before you understand what they say your brain will learn to identify the tone and sounds of new words better in the future.Find a native speakerOne last tip to soak in the language while learning Chinese at home: find a native Chinese speaker. Hook up with a language partner - a native speaker who will hel p you learn Mandarin while you help them with their English.There are a lot of Chinese students out there who want to better their English. Photo credit: maltzevans via Visual hunt / CC BY-NC-NDMosalingua has created a page with links to various tools that will help you learn to speak Chinese like a native. Among them is Italki https://www.italki.com/home, a site that lets you find a language partner or else a native speaker to help you with Chinese lessons.It’s like a Chinese Superprof!The app is very easy to use. The catch? It costs about $15 to $27 per hour to for a teacher who is also a native Mandarin speaker. However, the language partners are is free - a true intercultural training programme, with a free, internation exchange of linguistic competence.A must for preparing your Chinese classes London!Discover how to find the perfect Chinese teacher for your learning needs...Train on Your Favourite Chinese Learning AppAre you looking for a smartphone app that will help you rev ise for your Chinese lessons? Nothing simpler!How better to work on your Chinese vocabulary everywhere you go than to have it on your smartphone?There are more than 500 million Chinese watching videos online, and giving Chinese lessons is a way for them to make some money while learning English, French, Spanish, German or Portuguese.With language apps, there are no walls between native speakers and students of Chinese. Photo via Visualhunt.comHere, we’ll be describing Hello Talk, one way among many to learn the Chinese language and speak to native Mandarin speakers.This app has more than one million users throughout the world and fits you to one of the thousands of language partners.It’s a bit like the Facebook of foreign language courses: you can send a message to whomever you like and start trading languages!Here is what you need to do (it’s quite simple):Download the app onto your smartphoneCreate a profile (e-mail address, password, name, birthdate, profile photo)Enter the information about your native tongue and land of originMention Chinese as one of the languages you want to learnIndicate your level of proficiencyFind a language partner!It’s ideal for a free Mandarin lesson and for practising your written Chinese.Is your trip to China coming up soon?The Internet is a gold mine for discovering Chinese culture between two lessons, practice your Chinese and take a language immersion course before even setting foot in China!How much do you think Mandarin lessons should cost? Find tutors to learn Chinese with Superprof. No mater where you live, you'll be able to learn Mandarin London to Lincoln, from Plymouth to Portsmouth.

How to Learn Japanese Efficiently

How to Learn Japanese Efficiently What Is The Best Way to Learn the Japanese Language? ChaptersMake Japanese WorksheetsHow Easy Is It to Learn Japanese?What Is the Best App to Learn Japanese?Practicing to Pronounce Japanese with the Help of VideosSo you've decided to learn Japanese!  You will need a good deal of motivation to progress quickly.Even if you are gifted with languages, Japanese is a language very different from English. For starts it doesn't use the Latin alphabet, just like Chinese, Arabic, Russian, and Korean.If you want to learn Japanese but are unable to do a language study program in the Land of the Rising Sun, it is very useful to have a private Japanese tutor, or to enroll in a language school at home.In addition to your classes each week, you will need to make regular efforts to review and prepare your Japanese language courses.Here is what you need to do in order to quickly progress in Japanese and learn to master the Japanese language.All of this means that, once you get passed the writing system, Japanese is surprisingly easy to learn.Interest in the Japanese language is also on the rise and therefore people are becoming more determined to learn it, meaning that they have the motivation need to persevere through the difficult moments.Why Are People So Interested in the Japanese LanguageWhere does this desire to learn Japanese come from?1. Japanese cultural exports are exploding.Japanese culture has given a lot to the world over the years. From sushi to manga, anime to origami, Japanese culture has long fascinated the western world. By learning Japanese, you can access things like Japanese films, comic books, and video games.2. Knowing Japanese will set you apart from the crowd.Japanese is one of many languages often overlooked in favour of Spanish, French, German, or Italian. By learning a different language, and one spoken by almost 128 million people, will make your CV stand out from the rest.What's more, having a knowledge of Japanese brings job opportunities due to its importance in the world of business. According to t he World Bank, Japan has the third largest consumer market in the world. This is partly due to the culture of saving in Japan, meaning people can afford to make big purchases, coupled with the high levels of disposable income in the country (an average of $3,800 per household per month).This makes the Japanese market a prime target for companies all over the world. And the key to winning business in the Japanese market? Speaking their language of course. This is because learning Japanese doesn't only teach you the language, it teaches you about the culture and the different business etiquette which is so important in securing deals with other companies.Learning Japanese before traveling to Japan is an added motivating factor!3. The Japanese are international tourists.With so much disposable income, the Japanese have converted themselves into globetrotters. About 18 million Japanese people left the archipelago in 2017 according to the JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization). This means that Japanese tourists are spending across Australia, Europe, and North America.Naturally, knowing Japanese will set you apart when it comes to jobs in your own country in any sector related to tourism because you will be able to communicate with one of the biggest overseas group of travellers in the world.Are you convinced you should learn this amazing language yet?Do you know the rates for a Japanese lesson?What Is the Best App to Learn Japanese?Learning Japanese requires a certain amount of rigor in your everyday life. In order for you to take pleasure in what can sometimes be a very difficult learning experience, books are great, but you can also learn in a more playful way  thanks to mobile applications. This will  even help you practice to improve your pronunciation:Skritter: teaches Chinese and Japanese. The flashcard system allows users to revise vocabulary words thanks to the touch screen. It will also help you to learn to trace the Kana and Kanji characters correctly .JA Sensei: this is a fun and learning-packed application: conversation, writing, exercises, courses, quizzes...You can trust this app to allow you to be well prepared for your Japanese classes.Learn Japanese online: this app is based on Japanese conversation. Sequences are used to understand a short conversation. With voice recognition, it trains you to speak Japanese. Another approach to the oral learning of the language.Kana Town: the must-have app for learning Kana (Hiragana and Katakana). Ideal to start learning Japanese. You choose the characters to study and will have to find the right way to pronounce them.Nihongo na kana: very good app to start with some Japanese writing as well as start to learn the 92 signs and derivatives of kana syllabary, with quizzes along the way to evaluate your progress.These applications will also help you enormously to prepare for a test in Japanese!Practicing to Pronounce Japanese with the Help of VideosYoutube is the best bet if you are looking to immerse yourself in the Japanese language!The videos you will find there will make sure your ear gets used to the sounds.Watching Japanese anime in the original version will mean that you will progress quickly with the language!So, how do you feel about learning Japanese through manga on video?When you begin, it's better to rely on channels offering courses in Japanese. Be careful when sorting through them. Make sure it is correct Japanese you are learning! You'll find this out easily by reading the user comments. People sometimes pretend to be bilingual!This will help you  to work on your pronunciation of Kana or Kanjiet and enrich your vocabulary at the same time. It may not be a miracle method but it is definitely interesting as a complement to your courses.Once you have acquired the basics as well as a little vocabulary, it will be interesting for you  to dive into anime (manga) and dramas (Japanese TV series). You will be able to approach the language in its specific contex t and gain fluency in oral comprehension.It is also an opportunity to see that the Japanese language has many variations depending on the speakers you are addressing. And as a bonus, you will discover a little more about the Japanese culture!With all these tips, you can progress quickly and stay optimistic about your learning! If want to find a tutor, try searching for Japanese classes in your city on the Superprof website.What's your next step then...? Going to live in Japan or taking a trip to Tokyo?Or searching for japanese courses london, perhaps? Or  Japanese courses  all over the UK?

Change Is Not a Four-Letter Word - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Change Is Not a Four-Letter Word - Introvert Whisperer Change Is Not a Four-Letter Word Don’t you just love your habits? You must love them, because they are a big part of who you are, right? You have a habit of twisting your hair, sniffing, or eating when you’re tense. You do it without thinking about it, and that’s the great thing about a habit. It’s the robot part of living. It’s autopilot. The problem with a habitâ€"either one you want to get rid of or one you want to startâ€"is that you have to… change. Ick! We live in the midst of urban myth about change. The myth is we are resistant to change, yet we change all the time in every way and have from the moment we were born. We believe change is impossible, but that’s not true either. The one thing that is true is while there is expert knowledge about how to effectively make change, very few of us know about this information and subject ourselves to a lifetime of “do-overs.”  It’s not surprising our myths about change persist. In order to avoid being in the 70% of people who fail when making any type of change, there are a few things you can do. You must deploy all of these things: Plan to fail.   As negative as that sounds, it’s not. It means in our effort to change a habit, we will stray at some point. You might stray more than once. Make your strategy ahead of time and use it guilt-free. An example is eating. If you are dieting and can’t resist having some birthday cake, then recognize what you did and cut back your intake on the next meal. It works for anything, but do figure out where you might stray and know what you will do ahead of time. You need help. As a nation of cowboys, we’re prone to not ask for help. If you’re making a change, you need help. You need a person to hold you accountable, cheer you on, and keep you focused.   It often helps if that person is an expert in whatever habit you are working on, because they will have specific insight you need to know. People that attempt to make changes without another person in the mix, won’t succeed. You have to have an emotional need to change. You can’t logic your way to a change. If you don’t have an emotional connection or reason, you will lack the internal drive to push you forward. Think of this: If logic worked, no one would smoke or do drugs. We start for an emotional reason, and it takes an emotional reason for us to stop. The problem may be you haven’t connected to a deep-rooted emotion. Until you do, don’t start down the path of change, because you will quickly get derailed. It’s going to be uncomfortable. Part of the beauty of a habit is we don’t have to be conscious of what we’re doing. It’s a way to save energy. We do something and don’t burn one brain cell in the process. With change, you have to become conscious about your behavior, and that isn’t comfy, because it requires energy and focus. You have to keep doing something new in its place long enough to ultimately turn it into a lifestyle habit. Developing new behavior requires your time and attention far longer than you’d like. (Experts say repeated behavior for 21 days.   I think that is the bare minimum.) It’s a lifetime commitment. Many people make the mistake of thinking they will “do something until…”   In other words, they have a point out in time when they can take their foot off the gas and relax about the new behavior. Don’t plan on that working for you. You’ll notice people who go through 12-step programs to stop drinking refer to themselves as an alcoholic even when they haven’t drunk in years. It’s a way to maintain a level of consciousness as well as vigilance for the hard-fought-for change to stay in place. If you’re planning to change a habit, you don’t want it to be temporary. Tomorrow morning when you brush your teeth, be grateful your parents taught you so many good habits when you were young. Because now that you’re an adult, you realize how habits conserve your energy and how challenging it is to change them. This article was originally published on Evolving Magazine. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Why Learning Piano Theory is Important for All Musicians

Why Learning Piano Theory is Important for All Musicians Suzy S. Struggling to understand music theory? Try heading over to the piano seeing a visual representation can help a ton! Here, Lowell, IN teacher  Blake C.  shares how to get started Many musicians avoid learning music theory altogether because it can feel much like learning a foreign language; as a result, many musicians enlist in the anti-music theory organization. I will admit it â€" I was a member of the anti-music theory organization in my early years, declaring that music theory corrupts the instinctiveness of musical ability and creativity. In time, however, Ive uncovered numerous reasons why music theory is a necessary evil. The three top reasons are: composition, improvisation, and rehearsals. The first two reasons came about because I was fed up with not understanding which notes worked with other notes when I was trying to write a song, and even more frustrated when I tried to improvise on the fly. The third reason I realized when I began to feel like a knucklehead during rehearsals when the keyboardist and bass player were discussing chord progressions, and I had no idea what the heck they were talking about. Still, it can be difficult for some instrumentalists especially guitar players to comprehend music theory. One thing that helped me along the way, though, was putting down my guitar and taking my music theory books to the piano instead.  Within minutes, my understanding of music theory began to expand rapidly. No matter what instrument you play, if youre struggling with learning music theory, take a step back and head to a piano for a quick lesson. An Introduction to Piano Theory To begin, take a look at the keyboard image below and notice the repeating notes in each octave. Music theory is a way to explain harmony, melody, and rhythm. Using the piano keyboard to learn simplifies it because of the instruments layout. A piano keyboard is divided up in half steps, octave after repeating octave, which instantly eliminates the guess work. There are no surprises found on a piano keyboard â€" each octave repeats the exact same format. Piano Theory and Range Another factor illustrating the importance of piano theory is the range of the instrument. Think about  chord progressions, for example.  As you develop your skill on your respective instrument, youll eventually be able to identify these chord patterns quickly. However, many instruments do not offer a range as great as the piano. Youll be able to  aurally appreciate chord progressions in a wide range of octaves with the piano. Those chord progressions also represent harmony. The piano, unlike other instruments, offers you a chance to more completely understand the music theory behind harmony. A flautist, on the other hand, often begins with a more limited understanding of harmony than a pianist does, since the flute is a single-line melody instrument. Using Piano Theory to Understand Enharmonic Notes Similar to harmony, using a piano will help you understand how enharmonic notes â€" two note names with identical pitch â€" align in music. In the image below, one octave of the keyboard is provided and includes the note names for the white and black keys. The keyboard notes on the piano are easily understood because they are repeated in the exact same pattern from one octave to the next. Having a visual representation of these enharmonic notes makes it much easier to understand (and then apply to your own instrument). Using Piano Theory to Understand Key Signatures The final point I will cover is how the piano simplifies learning the key signatures.  Early on in your music theory studies, you will learn the formulas to create scales. You read correctly â€" formulas. For instance, the formula for a major scale is whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half. To visualize this, using the image below, begin on the first ‘C” on the left and then move up one whole step to the “D” note. Continue using the formula for a major scale to continue up the keyboard until you end on the next “C” note. If you correctly followed the formula, the only notes you would have landed on were natural notes, without accidentals (sharps or flats). The key of “C” has no sharps or flats in the key or the key signature. Next, using this last image below, begin on the first “D” note and follow the same formula. If you followed the formula correctly, you would have landed on two black keys during your progression up the scale â€" F# and C#. For this reason, the key signature for the key of “D” has two sharps â€" F# and C#. Simple! Taking into consideration the simple layout of the piano keyboard, the wonderfully large range, and the piano’s ability to produce harmony, youll see these are three big motives to learn piano theory. Best wishes in your musical endeavors, and remember â€" a quality TakeLessons.com music instructor can help you reach your musical goals more quickly and correctly. Blake C.  teaches songwriting, singing, and  guitar lessons  in Lowell, IN. He specializes in classical guitar technique as well as modern rock and blues styles. Blake has been teaching for 20 years and he joined the TakeLessons team in July 2013. Learn  more about Blake  here!   Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of prescreened teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for safe, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo  by  Caitlinator

What Qualifications are Needed to Teach Chinese

What Qualifications are Needed to Teach Chinese Certifications Needed for Teaching Chinese ChaptersIs It Absolutely Necessary to Have a Diploma if you Want to Tutor in Chinese?When Can We Start Learning Chinese at School?What Chinese College Degree Should You Pick?Living in China Before Teaching Chinese Back HomeChinese is a complex language that attracts more and more people every year.Spoken by more than 1.4 billion people, it is one of the most spoken languages in the United States of America!It is the symbol of a fascinating culture that attracts many people on a daily basis. Many young people have turned to China  for better opportunities with promising companies.Learning Mandarin has become a real asset for future generations.But what path do you need to follow when you want to become a private Chinese tutor?When should you start learning the language and where should you start?Here are some answers to the questions you might have before giving private Chinese classes.Living in China is the best way to learn the language.If you aren't able to make the trip during you r studies because your budget is too limited, it is also possible to become an au pair. In exchange for housing and food, an au pair takes care of the family's children during the week. This is a solution for going abroad on a budget.Some people teach English as a second language (ESL) in order to earn an income abroad and gain experience while learning the language of the country they are visiting.Your plans will be made according to your situation and means.Be aware, however, that when your goal is to teach a language, it is strongly advised that you spend some time in the country and immerse yourself in the culture as  to transmit the language much more easily to students.And let's not forget that language often forms a young student's mind. Understanding Chinese culture is also a way to better understand the Chinese language. Kung-fu lessons, an introduction to calligraphy, studying Chinese medicine, but also, understanding life in the big city or in the country's countryside ar e all part of becoming a language teacher.So go ahead! These are all important parts of becoming a tutor or language teacher! Don't forget these important steps too:Handling day-to-day needs, such as preparing lesson plans and correcting student workObtaining special language materials and programs for your classroomOrganizing special events related to your language and culture classes, such as dance performances, cultural displays, target-language dinners and other eventsPlanning and attending parent-teacher conferences and administrative meetingsAs a language teacher, you may travel from classroom to classroom, or you may have your own room, depending on your school or district size. A growing trend in public and private education today is language immersion schools, where students attend all or some core classes such as math, social studies and language arts in another language all year long.Have a look at this guide of everything you need to prepare to give Chinese classes...