The Chemistry of Fire by Ansel Adams - Science and Religion

The Chemistry of Fire by Ansel Adams - Science and ReligionThe Chemistry of Fire makes a profound statement about ourselves and our world. According to philosopher Jeffrey A. Hancock, who is perhaps the foremost expert on evolutionary psychology, this book is a manifesto for human beings. The title is taken from the final section, 'An Essay on the Chemistry of Fire' and it is written in a style that is unusually philosophical. The rest of the book is an essay on the significance of our relationships with nature, and how we came to make the decisions we have.The introduction is short and sweet, but goes into great detail about the major themes, like the role of technology, globalization, the environment, resource depletion, nature, and religion. It also explores the various aspects of political science, such as the sociology of the emerging nation states, and the problems facing democracy today. These are all interrelated. And there is also a great deal of historical background that i s very helpful.The book contains a very interesting theory, which is referred to as 'cognitive evolution.' It is a kind of self-propagating life-cycle. It describes how information travels from generation to generation, and how the latter passes on what they learn to their successors. As such, it connects scientific discoveries to real-world events, while allowing for the invention of knowledge to be the direct result of factors outside the scientific community.The book covers India and East Asia for the most part, but the United States and Western Europe are also discussed in some detail. The book was written in two parts. The first part was entitled 'The Nature of the Anthropocentric Worldview,' and the second part was 'The Chemistry of Fire.'For the most part, the West's relationship with China is the central theme of the book. We know very little about China, except that it was a major factor in the economic boom that occurred after WorldWar II. It is interesting to note that Ch inese philosophy is much more advanced than Western philosophy.Much of the progress of the West was based on scientific discovery. In a nutshell, the Chemistry of Fire argues that this is a process that we've been going through since the dawn of time.The book was fairly long, and the conclusion was not without controversy. On the one hand, many of the arguments in favor of the book were very similar to other arguments against the book. On the other hand, the book includes references to some of the most important scientists in the field, who have contributed to a better understanding of evolution, and its consequences.

How Do You Annotate a Text

How Do You Annotate a Text Annotating texts is an important skill to develop for several reasons. This skill can assist you in becoming a more successful high schoolandcollege student. It will also teach you how to gain more from your readings. However, when an instructor asks you to annotate a text, you may not know what exactly they mean or what it involves. Here are some simple tips on how to properly annotate a text: What does it mean and why should I do it? First, you should understand what it means to annotate a text. Annotating is basically a way of interacting with a text. Some find it helpful to think of annotations as a conversation between you (the reader) and the text. Annotating differs from traditional note-taking in that it is not about simply restating the main points of a text. Instead, annotating entails a deeper interaction with the text. The benefit of annotating texts is that it leaves the reader with a more thorough understanding of the material. It also allows you to pose questions for further research and recall critical thoughts that can later be turned into papers or other assignments. Annotating a text acts as a way to engage in your reading beyond simply reading and restating what you read. You may want to consider a digital textbookwhich can make it easier to annotate. How do I annotate a text? When preparing to annotate a text, most students will want to utilize a pencil, a highlighter, and some sticky notes or flags. Imagine the author is an instructor or someone else who is trying to teach you new information. Annotating can be your form of engaging in dialogue with the text. As you read, you may choose to highlight or underline certain parts of the text, such as key terms, definitions, or other details that seem important. In addition, you should take notes in the margin of your text. Write down questions and other ideas that the reading provokes. These may be fact-based questions or notes such as, I dont understand this concept or Why is this movement important in American history? You can also record more complex questions such as, How does this concept relate to what we just studied in our Literature class? Here are 3 note-taking formats every student should try. Another aspect to include when annotating is the ways in which the text relates to your own personal experiences. You may include a note about a real-life example to which you can relate the reading. You can also record notes regarding your personal thoughts and opinions about what the text conveys. It is essential to mention, however, that your annotation of a particular text is likely to look very different from another classmates annotation. This is due to the fact that reading is a very personal process. Your prior learning and life experiences influence the manner in which you read and interpret a text. However, it may be helpful to talk with peers, friends, or anEnglish tutorafter annotating texts in order to compare notes. You may be able to learn from each other and gain new perspectives on the text. By annotating texts, you can become a more active and reflective reader. Actively engaging with the reading is known to improve retention of information. Thus, it is a useful skill to acquire and to practice in order to benefit the most from your studies.

Cooking With Culture 11 Wonderful Italian Food Blogs

Cooking With Culture 11 Wonderful Italian Food Blogs Mac Italians and cooking go together like well, who needs a comparison? In this article, Italian teacher  Liz T.  will show you  11 food blogs with  delicious  Italian recipes, each providing a  plentiful helping of Italian culture Culture in the Kitchen If youre learning Italian, of course it helps to know the basics; vocabulary, grammar rules, and all of the technicalities involved with the language. But did you know that learning about the Italian culture will help you better understand the language? Many students learning Italian  go beyond their tutoring sessions and dig into the rich and beautiful culture that Italy has to offer. And whats one of the best ways they  indulge in this practice? Cooking!  Food and gastronomy  are two very important components of Italian culture. Italian Cooking To really gain a sense for Italian culture, we encourage you to try your hand at Italian cooking. Apart from this article, we recommend you do a  little outside research on  the customs of cooking and the typical dishes of each  region in Italy. This will help you prepare  for traveling abroad, as well as learning the language. Or, if youre not looking to travel, learning recipes is a simple way to bring a  little bit of Italy into your home! Wed like to show you our  list of wonderful  Italian food blogs to help you learn and cook your favorite Italian meals. Lets take a look! 1)  Italian Food Forever   This is a great website for recipes, tips in the kitchen, and info about Italian cooking schools. It even has a section on Italian tourism, including links for travel guides and tourism sites. Heres an excerpt from the About section,  written by  the blogs author, Deborah Mele: The essence of Italian cooking today is simplicity. One uses the freshest seasonal ingredients possible, and then uses basic cooking techniques to simply enhance the natural flavor of the food. While living in Italy, I spent many hours each week browsing through the market stands overflowing with the vibrant colors of each season’s bounty. I learned to keep “an Italian kitchen” during this period, and to plan my daily menu only after visiting the local market or grocery to see what was fresh that day. Check out this recipe on homemade Gnocchi! 2)  Silvia’s Cucina This is a great online (and physical) Italian cookbook. Once you see the pictures, you’ll want to start cooking these mouthwatering dishes pronto! The blogs author, Silvia Colloca, writes this on her About Silvia page: In  Silvia’s Cucina, you are invited into my kitchen to share the unfussy, delicious recipes that have been passed down through my family for generations. My food is traditional, authentic, mostly simple, and embedded in it is the legacy of the hands of my mother and grandmother (those hands, always at work on some sauce or buried in dough!). Since leaving Italy eight years ago, I’ve seen, of course, how much Italian food is loved around the world. But I’ve also come to understand that it is a cuisine that is perceived as rich and fatty, to be approached occasionally, and then with some caution. In Silvia’s Cucina, I am striving to change this misapprehension by showing how to cook everyday authentic, healthy Italian food. Look at this recipe for linguine with clams and zucchini cooked risotto  style! 3)  Emiko Davies International traveler and writer Emiko Davies shares firsthand about her experiences with food and wine in the region of Firenze. Heres what Emiko says about herself in the About section: I’m half Japanese, half Australian, but have spent two-thirds of my life living in other countries. After growing up in Beijing, China, and doing a Fine Art degree in Providence, Rhode Island, I ended up in Florence, Italy. There, I fell in love with a handsome local â€" now my husband, a sommelier and my ideal gastronomic partner in crime.  In a battle over who gets to cook dinner he usually wins. And especially now that we have a little  girl, I let him.  We live in Tuscany. Take a look at  this juicy recipe of Emiko’s on Bruscetta! 4)  Divina Cucina   This blog is a wonderful mix of recipes and personal experiences from the author, Judy. Her experiences are as heartfelt as they are joyous. She also gives private cooking tours around Italy! Heres an excerpt from her About Judy section: I had worked as a pastry chef in a 5 star hotel in San Francisco, but wanted to get out of the kitchen and start to teach.  In 1984, I turned 30 and bought a one-way ticket to Europe, planning on spending one month in France and one month in Italy taking Italian lessons. In France, I reconnected with old friends and possible places I could work, but when I arrived in Florence, I fell in love first with the city, and then a year later with a Florentine.  My first years here were spent learning the language and the cuisine. My first job cooking was as a pastry chef in a private restaurant in town. After 4 years, I finally felt ready to teach. Check out this post  she wrote about a new way to make pizza! 5)  Mario Batali Renowned chef Mario Batali shares his secret recipes with the exact ingredients and steps you need to emulate his food.  His blog features great videos that walk you through the steps for cooking  his delectable dishes. Heres a little bit about Mario from his websites About section: Raised in Seattle, Mario attended high school in Madrid and studied the golden age of Spanish theater at Rutgers University. Soon after graduating, Mario enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu in London, his first formal culinary training. But after a few short months, he withdrew to apprentice with London’s legendary chef Marco Pierre White. During three years of intense culinary training in the Northern Italian village of Borgo Capanne (population 200), Mario learned the essential skills to return to his native US eager to plant his orange-clad foot firmly on the checkered-tablecloth Italian restaurant establishment. Look  here for the first Italian dish you must master. 6)  Learn Italian Wines In this blog, author Tom Hyland talks about current trends in the Italian wine industry. It’s nice to  read about Italian wines from the perspective of someone who has mastered the acquired taste of fine wines. Read a little more about Toms background from this excerpt on his blog: I am a freelance wine writer and photographer specializing in the wines of Italy. I live in Chicago and recently completed my 64th trip to Italy. I have visited virutally every region in the country and am constantly amazed at the wonderful variety of wines produced from indigenous grapes (I am never amazed at the quality of the wines!). I have been in the wine business for 34 years, have been writing for 17 years and have been a professional photographer for the past eight years. Check out this  article on the 50 best white wines in Italy. 7)  Eating Italy Food Tour   Traveling to Italy soon? Book a tour with this company to experience Italian food in a group setting in major Italian cities. Theyll make sure that your taste buds experience  only the finest of Italian cuisines. Heres a little more about Eating Italy from their About section: We are giving people a taste of Rome they won’t soon forget by exposing them to real food, people and neighborhoods. Our mission is to leave travelers with an unparalleled, non-touristy, food-related experience in undiscovered neighborhoods of the most fascinating cities in the world. Look at these essential foods to try on your next trip to Venice! 8)  Eataly Food Blog   This outstanding restaurant and market, with franchises in New York and Chicago, shares some very interesting “How To Italian Guides on their online magazine. They feature authentic and delicious ready-to-make Italian dishes. Youll enjoy this excerpt from the How To Truffle guide: Ancient Romans believed that the  truffle  was created when lightning struck damp earth. Today, we know that the small tuber grows underground in the  wild forests of northern and central Italy. Even so, modern Italians â€" and  Eatalians  â€" maintain the magic of the truffle, referring to the earthy and aromatic ingredient  as “a fairy apple,” “a diamond of the kitchen,” and “the gem of poor lands.” Have a look at this guide on how to bake bread! 9)  Lidia Famous Italian Chef Lidia Bastianich shares so graciously in her online journal some of her delicious Italian meals. She features everything from appetizers to desserts. Its almost impossible to go wrong with Lidia’s meals! Learn a little more about Lidia from her websites About section: She is the chef/owner of four acclaimed New York City restaurants â€" Felidia, Becco, Esca and Del Posto, as well as Lidia’s Pittsburgh and Lidia’s Kansas City â€" along with her daughter Tanya. She is also founder and president of Tavola Productions, an entertainment company that produces high quality broadcast productions. Lidia also has a line of pastas and all natural sauces called LIDIA’S. Along with her son, Joe Bastianich, Mario Batali and Oscar Farinetti, the team opened Eataly, the largest artisanal Italian food and wine marketplace in New York City, Chicago and Sao Paolo, Brazil. This recipe for chicken parmigiana looks delicious! 10)  Cooking With Nonna Everyone loves cooking with their nonna (grandmother)!  Learn how to make your own Italian desserts, soups, and sides in this blog, Cooking with Nonna. They even have recipes for certain holidays, such as New Years, Valentines Day, and Easter. Heres more about the blog from its About Us section: With Cooking with Nonna, we would like to bring to the public yet another facet of the cooking experience. We believe that many of the most original recipes around the world are not necessarily held by the professional chefs that we find in the many restaurants around the world or in the now very popular celebrity cooking shows. After all, they learned their trade either from a culinary school or by working side by side with an established chef. In reality however, the ones that indeed hold the secrets to the most original recipes are our Nonne, our grandmothers. See which Italian cookies and desserts here look good to you! 11)  Bobby Flay   This prestigious gourmet chef makes some hot and spicy Mediterranean dishes! Bobbys recipes are easy to follow and mouthwatering to boot. In case you havent heard of the world-famous Bobby Flay, heres more about him on his websites About Bobby section: Food is the epicenter of my life â€" what inspires me every day. It’s the way I make my living, the way I relax, the way I express myself, and how I keep healthy. I communicate with the world, and experience the world, through food.  As such, this site is about more than just recipes: Its a place to come for fitness tips, travel ideas, cooking techniques and behind-the-scenes videos â€" anything and everything about life in the kitchen, and beyond. Check out Bobby’s  special Red Wine Sangria concoction! Conclusion I hope this list of Italian food blogs  will give you an idea of how you can explore Italian food and culture yourself! As always, if you’re looking to enhance your Italian language skills, schedule a lesson today  with an instructor who matches your style and learning goals. Remember to always ask questions and research anything youre confused about.  Happy cooking and happy learning! Did any of these food blogs wet your appetite? If so, leave a comment below with a recipe you think looks delicious! Post Author:  Liz T. Liz T. teaches Italian, singing, acting, and music lessons in Brooklyn, NY, as well as online.  She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M in Vocal performance and currently performs/teaches all styles of music including Musical Theater, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, RB, and Country. Learn more about Liz here! Photo by theintlkitchen Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Essential French Vocabulary Words for Your Online Life

Essential French Vocabulary Words for Your Online Life Megan L. The French have their own set of words for the online world. Tutor  Tyler S.  shares how to type French accents, helpful phrases for email, and more! In the most recent decade, technological advances have affected languages all over the globe. Thanks to these advances, it is easy to communicate with others over  long distances at the touch of a button. The  internet and high-tech mobile devices have given rise to many new, abbreviated word forms. One example is the way the French use their own abbreviated language for social media and texting. This article will help you  modernize your  French skills for a world where people text, email, and use social media, plus youll  learn how to type accents on the daily! How to Type  French Accents There are a lot of ways to type accents using a computer keyboard or mobile device. Here is how to type accents in French using Mac, PC, Android, or iOS. 1. How to Type Accents on  a Mac Accents are easy to type when using a Mac. Below  are the common keystrokes. Remember to have the caps lock on when typing uppercase characters. Àà Press the [`] symbol and the [options] key at the same time. Then press [a]. Èè Press the [`] symbol and the [options] key at the same time. Then press [e]. Ùù Press the [`] symbol and the [options] key at the same time. Then press [u]. Éé Press [e] and the [options] key at the same time. Then press [e] again. Ââ Press [i] and the [options] key at the same time. Then press [a]. Êê Press [i] and the [options] key at the same time. Then press [e]. Îî Press [i] and the [options] key at the same time. Then press [i]. Ã"ô Press [i] and the [options] key at the same time. Then press [o]. Ûû Press [i] and the [options] key at the same time. Then press [u]. Ää Press [u] and the [options] key at the same time. Then press [a]. Ïï Press [u] and the [options] key at the same time. Then press [i]. Üü Press [u] and the [options] key at the same time. Then press [u]. Ÿÿ Press [u] and the [options] key at the same time. Then press [y]. Å'Å" Press [q] and the [options] key at the same time. Çç Press [c] and the [options] key at the same time. 2. How to Type Accents on  a PC/Windows Accents are slightly tedious to type on a PC/Windows operating system. But, it does get easy once you’re in the habit. As long as you have the list below,  on either a sticky note or in a word processing file for reference, you will be fine. À Hold [ALT] and type 0192 à Hold [ALT] and type 0224  Hold [ALT] and type 0194 â Hold [ALT] and type 0226 Ä Hold [ALT] and type 142 ä Hold [ALT] and type  132 È Hold [ALT] and type 0200 è Hold [ALT] and type  138 É Hold [ALT] and type  144 é Hold [ALT] and type  130 Ê Hold [ALT] and type 0202 ê Hold [ALT] and type  136 ÃŽ Hold [ALT] and type 0206 î Hold [ALT] and type 140 Ã" Hold [ALT] and type 0212 ô Hold [ALT] and type  147 Å' Hold [ALT] and type 0140 Å" Hold [ALT] and type 0156 Ù Hold [ALT] and type 0217 ù Hold [ALT] and type  151 Û Hold [ALT] and type 0219 û Hold [ALT] and type  150 Ãœ Hold [ALT] and type 154 ü Hold [ALT] and type  129 Ÿ Hold [ALT] and type 0159 ÿ Hold [ALT] and type 0255 Ç Hold [ALT] and type  128 ç Hold [ALT] and type  135 3. How to Type Accents on  Android/iOS Accents are extremely easy to type using most smartphones. To type an accent using your phone’s touchscreen keyboard, simply press down on the letter you want to accent and hold your finger over that same letter. A small menu will appear over the letter you selected, and various accented versions of that letter are included in that menu. To select an accented letter, slide your finger while still holding down on the touchscreen in the direction of the letter you wish. You will see that the letter selected is  darkened so that you know it is selected. Once selected, release you finger from the touchscreen, and the accented character will be typed into your current message. For example, if you hold your finger over “u,” the following set of accented letters will appear over your finger on most smartphones: u,  Ãº,  Ã¹, ü, û French Vocabulary for Email Below is the basic structure of a typical French email. Each number on the left-side column represents a basic part of an email. Below the example email is an explanation of the email’s basic part and other suggestions for improving your vocabulary. (1) Chère Mme Blanc, (2) Je suis très desolé, mais je ne peux pas assister à votre classe aujourd’hui. Je suis malade, et il faut que j’aille au docteur. (3) Merci, (4) [Your Information] 1. Information of the Addressee This is the section where you want to correctly address  the person you are emailing. Assess the level of formality you need to use, and use the addressee’s correct title if applicable. Here are more words you could use in this part of the email: Cher = Dear _____, (for addressing a man) Chère = Dear _____, (for addressing a woman) Prof = Professor (as a title) Mr or Monsieur = Mr. (title) Mme or Madame = Ms. or Misses (title) Mlle or Mademoiselle = Ms. or Miss (title) 2. Your Message’s Information This section simply contains the information you wish to convey in  your email, such as the example used above. This example sentence is a notification to Professor Blanc to excuse the addresser of the email, because he or she is malade (sick). 3. Thank You/Farewell This is the section where you want to either thank the addressee for their time, or write other farewell messages, like we do in American email etiquette. Here are some common phrases used by the French: Cordialement  = Cordially Merci  = Thank you Sincèrement  = Sincerely Meilleurs salutations  = Best regards 4. Information of the Addresser This is the section where you provide your personal information, such as your name, your telephone number, your address (if pertinent), and your email address. Here is an example: Meilleurs salutations, Pierre Dubois 612-324-13423 80 Rue Saint-Louis 78001 Versailles, France French Vocabulary for Social Media Here is a useful list of commonly-used words from the online world of social media. * les médias sociaux = social media * le net = internet * l’ego-portrait = selfie * le statut = status * la page web = web site * ajouter a la liste d’ami(e)s = to add to your friendlist * amiradier = to unfriend * chatter = to chat * la publication = post * envoyer un poke = to poke * J’aime = Like (as in the button on Facebook) * Je n’aime plus = Unlike (as in the button on Facebook) * l’accueil = home page * la bôite de réception = inbox * la discussion instantée = chat * suivre sur Twitter = to follow in Twitter * le tweetage = tweeting French Vocabulary for Texting And last but not least, we have abbreviations commonly-used by French when texting. The French call these type of words “textos,” which, in English, are abbreviations similar to “lol” or “brb.” Texto Francais English bjr Bonjour  Good Morning / Hello. bsr Bonsoir Good evening. C c’est… it is… A+ à plus later a2m1 à demain see you tomorrow ALP à la prochaine until next time auj aujourd’hui today BCP beaucoup much; many 2 ri 1 de rien   you’re welcome Koi 2 9 Quoi de neuf? What’s new? Using these words will make you sounds très moderne in the world of French communication. Also, it is nice simply not to be confused when you encounter a texto or technological jargon. Practice using the new French vocabulary from this article, and you are sure to increase your understanding. Ct pour auj. À bi1to!  ?? (C’est tout pour aujourd’hui. À bientôt! That’s all for today. See you soon!) Have you come across any interesting French vocabulary online, in email, or in a text message? Share it with us in the comments below! Post Author:  Tyler S. Tyler S. teaches in-person Spanish and French lessons in Minneapolis, MN. He received his Bachelors degree in German and linguistics from the University of Minnesota, and has experience working as a teaching assistant and private tutor with TakeLessons since 2008. Whats more? He can speak 7 different languages! Learn more about Tyler here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

How to work effectively with an extroverted boss - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to work effectively with an extroverted boss - Introvert Whisperer How to work effectively with an extroverted boss As an introvert in the workplace, having an extroverted boss can often be a delicate balancing act. Between check-ins, updates and casual chats you’re also prioritising your need for solitude. Extroverted bosses can be great to work with, but excessive meetings and frequent phone calls can become tedious especially for introverts who need to stay absorbed in their work. If you’re finding that you’re experiencing too many interruptions, it might be time to speak up. Here are some tips to help you work more effectively with an extroverted boss: The overly-chatty boss Occasional small-talk is always welcome in a friendly office but if your boss is the talkative type, it can start to interfere with your work. Meetings can go on for a lot longer than they should, phone conversations exceedingly one-sided and weekly catch-ups begin to dig into your work time. Without being confrontational, explain to your boss that you’re on a tight deadline and that you can’t be held up in meetings. The good thing about these meetings is that you can voice your concerns to your boss by saying something like “is it alright if I sit this meeting out tomorrow? I’ve got some urgent tasks that I need to do by the end of the day”. Don’t make it about them, instead make it about your work efficiency. Also, do not be afraid to interrupt your boss mid-conversation, especially if he or she is going off on a tangent that is unrelated to work. You could say something like “what was that thing you mentioned earlier, about the project I’m working on? I still have a few tasks to get done on it and your input would be great.” You can also avoid a prolonged conversation by saying “great point, I’ll write that down” (without being rude, of course!) The brainstorm-loving boss For an introvert, a long brainstorming session is an energy drain at the best of times, but some managers thrive when they get input from other team members. The difficulty with brainstorming sessions for thinking introverts is that they require very little (if any) preparation as well as bouncing ideas off one another as they come. Extroverts like to verbalise their thoughts using the team’s interaction as a spring board for their own ideas. If you’re finding yourself attending way too many of these sessions, try talking to your boss about cutting down to just once a week or every two weeks as needed. Say something like “I’m better at planning ideas in advance and brainstorm sessions aren’t my greatest strength. If you like I can think through some ideas over the week and present them to you in our next meeting.” A good boss will understand and appreciate that you are honest about the way you like to work. The “too many meetings” boss One of the main indicators of an extroverted boss is their desire to be around people and to seek the input of others in decision-making. Like the brainstorm-loving boss, this type of boss enjoys conducting meetings and having their team collaborate. Sometimes though, these meetings never seem to end. While you may not be able to completely avoid them in the office, you can suggest standing meetings (where everyone stands instead of sitting, which can speed things up), or a more structured agenda. Before a meeting begins, you can tell your boss that after the hour is done you have some urgent tasks that require your attention for the day. Hopefully this will help your manager understand that not all meetings need to be several hours long. The team building boss Every now and then you might be expected to mingle with your team or the wider company, and that’s great. A good manager will always try to bring his or her team together, but an over-emphasis on socialising can be counter-productive for some people. The best thing to do is talk to your boss. Let them know that you (and your team) find these activities quite draining and ask whether they can limit them to just a few times a year. Nobody should ever be compelled to take part in team building exercises if they don’t want to. The highly expressive boss Extroverts are often more outwardly expressive than introverts and tend to make a better show of their feelings. Introverts are less likely to show their enthusiasm or disappointment, which makes it hard for extroverts to read them. You can run into misunderstandings if your boss starts to think you are unhappy or unmotivated. If your boss is showing concern, let them know that you are a quiet person (something they are probably aware of) and that you are perfectly happy in your role. Extroverts can be very empathetic people, so by addressing their concerns this way you can put their mind at ease. Life in an office environment can be like a stage act, so it’s worth making a bit more of an effort to appear enthused in the presence of your boss. We all have to play our part, but when each of us comes to understand one another we are that much closer to being ourselves. Talk to your boss about your ideal work environment Extroverts enjoy being around people and can be quite in-tune with the feelings of others. If your boss is an otherwise great manager, he or she will understand if you want to chat or voice your concerns about your work. Many extroverts like helping other people, which is why many of them become managers in the first place. Your boss may or may not understand your introverted nature, and they might be doing for you what they wish others did for them. It’s true that introverts and extroverts work differently, but that doesn’t mean they can’t work together. In fact, they can make for a diverse and highly effective team. Author Bio Emily Gorsky is an introvert and writer for Open Colleges focusing on career and education. She strongly believes in living a balanced life. Her mission is to inspire others to engage in self-motivated learning and build their own path to success. Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!  Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Guide to Language Learning Goals

Guide to Language Learning Goals Why You Need Language-Learning Goals ChaptersWhat to Avoid When Setting Language Learning GoalsHow to Successfully Approach Language LearningLanguage Is ComplexWhat Is a Goal?How to Break Apart Your Language Learning GoalsHow to Set S.M.A.R.T. GoalsKeep Your Language-Learning Goals RealisticOften, when people start learning a new language, they jump right into it. They’ll download an app and start swiping and typing away to fluency. Or so they think. But jumping into language-learning with this mindset can not only lead to wasted time, but it can also prevent you from actually learning a new language.If you’re going to learn a new language, then you need goals. Without them, you’ll get lost in the forest, looking for the trees. To help you make the most of this process, you need a guide to creating language learning goals that will help you rapidly reach fluency.Specific: In detail, describe what you want to achieve. List out why, how, and under what conditions you wish to achieve them. The more details you can pr ovide, the better.Measurable: In what objective way can you measure your progress to gauge success?Attainable: Is your goal realistic? Analyze yourself as a learner and make sure that you’re not creating unrealistic expectations for yourself.Relevant: How does this goal relate to your overall goal?Timely: Set a specific and reasonable deadline to achieve your goal.Setting goals for your learning can help you keep on track.What’s An Example of a S.M.A.R.T. Goal?A general goal would be saying something like, “I want to speak German.” A more specific goal would be saying something like, “I want to speak German at a B2 level.”But a S.M.A.R.T. goal goes much deeper and more specific:“I want to speak German at a B2 level in 1 year so that I can travel to Germany for 2 weeks practising my language skills on a language holiday. I’m going to do this by sitting down every day for 45 mins and working on my language skills using my favourite languaging program, YouTube, and Netf lix.Plus, I’m going to reach out to friends that I know speak the language and ask them to help me practice. I’ll make sure to spend time on each domain as well, but because my goal is to speak the language, my primary focus will be on listening comprehension and speaking. I also plan on taking the B1 Test at 6 months and then the B2 test before I go on my trip.”Keep Your Language-Learning Goals RealisticThis point bears repeating and revisiting. While some language-learners will promise unrealistic progress with various programs, the key to success is being realistic language learning. Know who you are, how you learn, and why you want to reach fluency in a foreign language. Then take the time to layout your specific, detailed goals.With a clear plan and focus, you’ll achieve results much faster. With achievable goals, you’ll also have far more moments where you can take a step back and reflect on your success, giving you the motivation you need to keep going until you fin ally reach fluency.

English Tense Review Present Simple, Present Perfect, Future, and Past Simple

English Tense Review Present Simple, Present Perfect, Future, and Past Simple Often, when I am learning a language, I understand the tenses when I  focus on them one at a time. Then, when I have  a conversation, I get confused because we use more than one tense at a time in real life.  If this also happens to you, youll like todays mini-lesson, an English tense review. First, well do a short review  and complete an exercise.  Then, well watch  an interesting video about how China is Changing Hollywood and better understand those tenses and why they are used.  Lets get started!Present Simple I, you, we, they: (verb)   he, she, it: (verb)sUses:Action that always/often happens: I wake up at 8:00 each day.Fact/generalization: Snakes  scare me.Scheduled event in near future: Our flight leaves at noon.Now (non continuous verbs):  Im at your apartment.  Where are you?Present Perfecthave/has + (past participle)Uses:Experience: Have you seen Westworld?Change: He has lost weight since last year.Accomplishments: Scientists have found vaccines for many diseases.Inco mplete, expected action: Have you finished your homework yet?Several actions in the past at different times: I have tried that 20 times.Futurewill + (verb)Uses:Prediction: Who will become president?Promise: I will clean my room tonight.Volunteering for something: I will wash the dishes for you.Past Simple(verb)edUses:Completed action in the past: We rode our bikes home yesterday.Series of completed actions: We rode our bikes home, cooked dinner, and watched TV.Duration of completed past action: I lived in Santiago for one year.Past habits or hobbies: Where did you work in high school?English Tense Review Exercise:Part I.  Now, well take a look at a partial transcript from the video we are about to watch.  I have already written the use, and its your job to choose the correct tense and conjugation of the verb.  Dont forget to write your answers in the comments section!Fact/generalization:In the 4th Transformers movie, (theres/there was) a scene where a random guy in an elevator (h elped/helps) Stanley Tucci beat someone up.  That guy? (Turned/Turns) out (hes/he has been) a Chinese boxer, Zou Shiming, a world champion and gold medalist.Promise: Elsewhere in the movie (youll see/you see) product placement everywhere.Completed action:If you (didnt/dont) recognize these references, thats because they (arent/werent) meant for you.Accomplishment:The growth of Chinas middle class (created/has created) a massive new market.Prediction:Next year, Chinas box office revenue (likely surpasses/will likely surpass) the US, making it the largest movie market in the world.Accomplishment:China (has built/built) 27 new cinema screens per day on average this year.Fact/generalization:The problem (was/is), the Chinese government only (allows/allow) a certain number of foreign films to enter the country each year, and each one (have/has) to pass through the government censorship agency.Completed action:Before the 1990s, very few Hollywood movies (make/made) it to Chinese audiences .  The Chinese government (has/had) its own film industry, and they (used/will use) it to distribute propaganda.Completed action:In 1993, that (drops/dropped) to 5 billion, but in 1994 things (started/starts) to change.  The Fugitive (became/becomed) the first new American film set for general release to the Chinese public.  It (was/were) so popular that scalpers outside theaters were getting double the price of the ticket.Change:Since then, Hollywood (has pushed/have pushed) the US government to continually negotiate for higher quotas.English Tense Review:Part II.  For this part, the verbs are filled in for you, and its your job to decide why the tense is used.  Fill in the blank with the correct uses.__________These days, a US film typically makes it into a Chinese movie theater in one of three waysthe most common is the revenue sharing model where the studio gets 25% of the revenue.__________Over the last ten years, American films have strategically incorporated positive Chi nese story elements  to bolster their chances of being one of the films selected.__________In Red Dawn, the enemy was originally China, but changed to North Korea in post production.__________Its important to note, though, that studios dont have to do this.  Harry Potter is a great example.English Tense Review Continued__________There are two ways to get around the 34 film limit.  The least popular among big Hollywood studios today is the flat fee model because theyre selling the film at a fraction of the cost, and China gets 100% of the ticket sales.  The other option is co-producing the movie with a Chinese company so that its not technically a foreign film.  But, co-productions are the most tightly regulatedit also has to have at least a third of the cast be Chinese.  In short, China somehow has to play a significant role in the film, and it cant be as the villain.__________Before Looper was released, its director in studio partnered with DMG, a Chinese-based entertainment c ompanyDMG recommended that the script be rewrittenbut ultimately, separate American and Chinese versions of Looper were released because the Chinese scenes in the film didnt resonate with US and international audiences.__________Thats always the issueas important as the China market is, its not the only market.  Ultimately, China wants their own films to outnumber and outplay their foreign competitors, so theyre building their own Hollywood.  Its an 8.2 billion dollar investment.__________From the same company that actually bought AMC in 2012, and subsequently doubled their ticket sales.__________,__________Sure, China will share their facilities with US studios, but their doors are still only half open.__________,__________That film quota that has held the US at bay for the last two decades, will also apply  to Hollywood studios vying to book the state of the art facilities.Listening For English Tense ReviewGood work!  Youve already read most of the transcript from the video bel ow, so this will help  your listening comprehension too.  As you watch, make sure your answers for the above exercises are correct.Hopefully by now you have a better understanding of why the variety of tenses were used in this video.  Are you still confused?  Or, want to practice your new knowledge in a conversation with a native speaker?  Schedule a class with LOI now!  We have plenty of professional, friendly teachers who can help at any time thats convenient for you!