Make Learning Fun This Summer with These 3 Tech Resources

Make Learning Fun This Summer with These 3 Tech Resources By this time in summer break, the days are long and the motivation to study is scarce. Luckily, there are some study strategies that wont feel much like work. Technology offers high school and college students many unique resources to take advantage of during the summer months. Are you looking for fun ways to keep your mind active? Here are three tech resourcesTED talks, YouTube channels, and television seriesto make summer learning fun: Tech resource #1: TED talks TED talks are 10- to 20-minute speeches given by experts in a particular field. These talks are generally interesting, engaging, and easy to understand. There are over 2,800 talks available on the easy-to-navigate TED website. The website offers content in subjects ranging from astrobiology to piano. Take some time to browse TED to find videos and topics that interest you. Here are some playlists to start you off: Ocean Wonders: This playlist features 13 TED Talks covering topics from Protect Our Oceans to Dive into an Ocean Photographers World. A Trip to the Museum: This playlist includes seven videos that discuss museums, such as An Underwater Art Museum, Teeming with Life and Why I Brought Pac-Man to MoMA. Talks By Brilliant Kids and Teens: This playlist houses 14 TED Talks given by kids and teens regarding impressive and engaging topics. Videos in the playlist include, Yep, I Built a Nuclear Fusion Reactor, An 11-Year-Olds Magical Violin, and My Invention That Made Peace with Lions. [RELATED: 5 Benefits of Using Videos to Learn] Tech resource #2: YouTube Channel YouTube isnt just for keeping up with the latest music video or trending clip. Its also home to several educational channels that are both easy to watch and informative. Educational YouTube channels include: SciShow: SciShow discusses science news and questions through visually appealing videos. Hosted by experts, the channel offers short clips (typically several minutes) and in-depth videos (generally 10- to 20-minutes) on specific topics. The videos answer questions such as What do food expiration dates actually mean? and Does aloe really treat a sunburn? Mental Floss: This channel focuses on little-known facts and trivia that cover a range of general knowledge. The List Show playlist is a unique feature, where videos are a rundown of facts, such as 27 Words that Totally Changed Meanings and 24 Facts about Koalas. [RELATED: How Online Learning Helps Students] Tech resource #3: Television series Television offers a wealth of content, some of which is educational and engaging. For example, Planet Earth and Planet Earth II are visually stunning journeys into and through mountains, caves, jungles, and ice worlds. On days when it is extremely hot outside, a little bit of television can help you explore new worlds. [RELATED: 3 Efficient Ways to Study on the Go] Summer is a great time to find creative ways to keep learning. Utilize these tech resources, and discover your own, to simultaneously keep your mind sharp and make learning fun during the summer months. 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.

Violin Lessons Belfast

Violin Lessons Belfast Find Your Next Violin Class In Belfast! ChaptersWhat Should I Look For In Violin Lessons?Looking For Formal Qualifications?What If I’m Not Interested In Studying The Violin At University?Do I Need My Own Violin?Playing an instrument like the violin can be such a rewarding experience â€" whether you’ve never even picked up a musical instrument before, or you already have your grade 8, there’s always something new you can learn when it comes to music.What’s more, one of the best ways to improve as a musician, be it in your performance or technical skill, is to take regular lessons.If you’re a violin player looking for a new tutor or are a complete beginner looking for violin lessons, then you’ll find plenty of options to suit in Belfast.This article outlines some places where you can find violin teachers in Belfast.Your goals â€" whether you want to learn for pure enjoyment, or study for your grade 6 or another grade; andHow much time you have to commit to lessons â€" typically, the more regular practice you put in learning the violin should lead to a quicker increase in ability.When it comes to how often you should have violin lessons, generally tutors recommend a regular weekly practice, and typically offer violin lessons near me that run for 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and 60 minutes, though sometimes even longer lessons are possible.If you don’t think you’ll be able to commit to weekly lessons, that doesn’t mean you can’t learn the violin. Just reach out to a tutor that you’d like to have lessons with and explain your situation â€" you might find that they’re able to accommodate more infrequent classes, particularly if you’re interested in learning to play the violin just for fun.You may consider having violin lessons to help you get into university to study a music degree (Image Source: Pixabay)Looking For Formal Qualifications?If you’re an advanced violinist (for example, you are grade 8 in the violin) then you might be considering taking further music studies and gaining further qualifications.If this is you, then it might be worth looking into taking a degree in music, either at a bachelor’s level or as a postgraduate student.For example, you could study at Queen’s University Belfast. They have a range of degree programmes, with undergraduate music study options being:BMus in Music;BA in Music Performance;BA in Music and Audio Production; andBA in Music and Sound Design.Looking at the BMus in Music in more detail as an example, this degree is 3 years full-time and “is designed for students who wish to develop a deep understanding of music in the broadest sense whilst honing their specialist skills to professional standards.”When it comes to employment prospects after completing this particular course, the university website states:“The programme prepares students for a wide range of possible career paths and graduates in Music at Queen’s have found success throughout the UK and internationally in both musical and non-musical careers inc luding orchestral playing, opera singing, solo artist careers, performance, composition, teaching, media employment and arts administration.”So, if you’re looking to ultimately play the violin professionally one day, taking a degree in music may help.If you think you might like to play violin in an orchestra, mention it to your violin tutor to see if they can help you with your performance (Image Source: Pixabay)What If I’m Not Interested In Studying The Violin At University?If you’re not able or interested in completing a degree in music, there are still lots of ways you can learn the violin.For instance, you could study for the ABRSM exams, with the aim of working towards grade 8 in the violin.Alternatively, you could just commit to becoming a better all-around player, without focussing on any examinations.Regardless of how formally you’d like to learn the violin, there are tutors out there to help all ability levels. Some music schools that offer violin lessons in Belfa st are highlighted below.Ulster College Of MusicSuzuki violin lessons are offered in groups at the Ulster College of Music and take place on Fridays and Saturdays.For those unfamiliar with the Suzuki method, the Ulster College of Music describes the Suzuki method as:“[…] an internationally recognised violin method and philosophy. Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki pioneered the idea that proficiency on violin playing can be acquired in the same natural learning process that allows children to speak their own native language. Suzuki referred to it as the Mother Tongue Method.”Alternatively, one-to-one tuition is also offered in the violin, if you’d prefer not to take group lessons.The CrescentThe Crescent is a community arts centre that offers lots of different courses, including courses for violin players.There is a range of courses on offer, including:An Introduction To Playing The Violin; andRediscover The Violin.“An Introduction To Playing The Violin” is a one-off two -hour long course that looks at the basics behind playing the violin, such as best posture and technique, with some music playing as well.“Rediscover The Violin” is a course “designed for people that may not have played the violin since their youth and want to pick up where they left off.After a recap of basic technique and posture, you will go on to play some classical favourites to finish off the afternoon.”It is a one-off, two-hour long course, which is great if you’re not looking to take up regular lessons.Other Private Violin TutorsIf none of the above options appeals, then you can always consider hiring a private tutor to help you learn the violin in Belfast.There are lots of different tutoring websites available that offer to connect you with experienced tutors in your local area.Superprof, for instance, offers tutors across all sorts of subjects, from drama to economics and music. So, if you’re looking for a violin tutor in Belfast, but have been struggling to fi nd a good match, whether that’s due to cost, location, or the style of lessons, you might find what you’re looking for by searching through Superprof’s database of tutors.A private tutor also has the benefit of letting you tailor your violin lessons to address your specific learning aims. So, if you have a specific piece in mind that you’d like to master, or you just want to learn more about sheet music or technique, then you can let your tutor know so that they can accommodate your aims in your lesson.There’s also the flexibility to have lessons as often or as infrequently as you’d like â€" which is great if you’re not sure if you’d like to commit to weekly lessons.You can also let your tutor know if you have a particular preference when it comes to lesson length â€" if you’d rather have 45-minute lessons as opposed to an hour, then just let your tutor know and they should tell you if they can accommodate you.Deciding which violin to buy can be tricky. However, yo u might be able to rent a violin if you're not sure about buying one (Image Source: Pixabay)Do I Need My Own Violin?Usually, you should bring a violin to a violin lesson, rather than be given a violin by the tutor to play.If you’re looking for a new violin in Belfast, there are a few music shops you may want to check out, including Matchetts Music, Dawsons Music Belfast and Belfast Music Supplies.At Matchetts Music, for example, there are different violins available, including:Hidersine;Stagg;Stentor; andYamaha.Additionally, it’s worth thinking about what type of violin you’d like. There is the traditional acoustic violin, which is the type of violin that people most commonly think of when they picture the instrument. Typically, an acoustic violin is better for beginners to the instrument.Alternatively, there’s the electric violin, which is typically recommended for those who are experienced violinists.You can also choose between types of violin, from baroque or classical vi olins to the modern violin.If that wasn’t enough to choose between, there are also different sizes of violins! You can find a 1/16, a 1/10, a 1/8, a 1/4, a 1/2, a 3/4, or a 4/4 size, with the 4/4 being a full-size violin. The size of the violin you choose may be dependent on your age, with younger children perhaps being drawn to the smaller size violins, and adults gravitating towards a full-size violin.If you’re not sure which type of violin you should buy, then an assistant at a good music shop should be able to point you in the right direction.Ultimately, it’s about finding a violin that is within your budget, is a size you want, and in the style that you’d like.If you’re unsure about committing to buying a violin (maybe if you’re just starting out) then you could also look into the possibility of renting a violin. Matchetts Music, for example, offers a violin rental scheme, which offers rental for sizes 1/4 to 3/4.So there’s no excuse not to try out the violin if y ou’ve been thinking about taking violin lessons!Find more violin lessons in the UK:Violin lessons in LondonViolin lessons in LeedsViolin lessons in BirminghamViolin lessons in ManchesterViolin lessons in GlasgowViolin lessons in CardiffViolin lessons in Edinburgh

Acrylic Painting Techniques for Beginners

Acrylic Painting Techniques for Beginners Acrylic Painting Techniques for Beginners ChaptersVersatility of AcrylicEssential Equipment for ExperimentationAcrylic Paint Techniques for BeginnersHow to Find Acrylic Painting TuitionAcrylic painting is an exciting hobby to pick up for the first time. Not only because of the incredible feeling associated with having a creative outlet, but also because of how versatile acrylic paint can be, and how wide a range of techniques you can apply to make your art stand out.If you’ve ever been curious about dipping your toes in the world of acrylic painting or simply finding a new way to express yourself, then this guide should help you find your feet and make the most of the fascinating substance. FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StefaniaPainting Teach er 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off2themoonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsVersatility of AcrylicFirst and foremost, what makes acrylic paint such a great option for creating art is its versatility and quick-drying nature.Despite the fact that oil painting continues to be the number one choice for many professional artists, the time it takes to dry can prove frustrating, and limit them somewhat in the scope of what they can pull off. Even as an amateur or beginner, choosing acrylic over oil can prove to be a great decision, since you will have a wide variety of techniques at your disposal to really unlock and unleash your creative side.What’s more, if you choose acrylic paint as your medium, you will be able to recreate many different painting styles. You’ll be a ble to apply the paint thinly, like you would with watercolour painting, or thicker, as in oil painting. Plus, it has the additional benefits over its counterparts of being impervious to cracking and fading.You can also use acrylic paint on a variety of surfaces. From the orthodox canvas or art paper, to rougher surfaces like wood or stone, you will be able to create some truly interesting art with a number of unique textures and aesthetics, defying the traditional image of painting on a canvas.The main downside to acrylic paint is the fact that it can produce a shiny aesthetic which can alter the look of the end product, and perhaps make it look less polished than say an oil painting would. Aside from that, all the signs point to acrylic paint being a great place to start out as a beginner looking to brush up on their painting skills or take steps towards a career in the arts.Essential Equipment for Experimentation Essential acrylic painting equipment to get you started.Now, before we get into the individual techniques associated with acrylic painting, it’s worth first taking a look at the essential equipment for such experimentation.Depending on the technique, you will need different supplies, but there are also some essentials that you’ll need before thinking about specifics.The top 3 supplies on your list should be a good brush, some paint of course, and a work surface.BrushFirst up, the brush. Of course, one option for getting your hands on a brush is to buy a beginner’s kit with everything included, which would be the most convenient way to go about it.However, things can get a bit tricky depending on what you are looking to achieve, since brushes come in all shapes and sizes. Just to give you an idea of what you’re working with, there are 8 different types of brushes commonly used in painting.Now that it’s sunk in, let’s see how we can make the process of buying your first bru sh a little easier.Your best bet when it comes to picking out a brush suitable for a beginner is to go for one that’s middle of the range, which means one which is anything from a size 6 to a size 8. From there you can go either way depending on what you feel your limitations are.The two main types of brushes are natural, and synthetic. Due to how hard acrylic paint can be on bristles, it’s typically better to go with a brush with synthetic bristles, to ensure you’ll get more use out of it. They are also easier to clean off with water, so you won’t spend half the time you want to be painting trying to get stubborn paint off the bristles.Lastly, make sure to invest in a decent paint brush holder or organiser. Depending on how many brushes you buy, you’ll want a nice way to store them all, so they avoid unnecessary wear and tear. From toothbrush style holders, to display stands which will give you easy access to your whole repertoire, decide which best suits your needs and k eep them on your workstation to make it easier to get started.Paint typeStudent grade vs Artist-gradeNext, once you’ve got your brush, it’s a good idea to consider the types of acrylic paint available to see which is best for you. The main difference in acrylic paints is whether they fall into the category of student grade or artist grade. As a general rule of thumb, student grade paints are more affordable but of a lower quality, while the artist grade paints, as the name suggests, are more suitable for professionals with a larger budget and a desire for the best quality paint.So starting out, since you likely don’t know whether you will continue with the hobby, you’d probably be best served opting for the more cost-effective option in student grade acrylic paint.Best Colours for BeginnersIf you’re very new to acrylic painting, it can be helpful to start off with some basic colours first, since you’ll be able to paint almost anything with just a few different staple col ours.White and black are essential, since they can combine with any of the other colours to produce a lighter or darker end result. Then, it’s worth investing in a series of warmer and colder colours. So that would be everything from yellow, red, and orange, to green, blue, and purple. This will cover most bases, and give you plenty of flexibility in what you can do on the canvas.I know it’s very tempting to want to buy obscure acrylic paint colours with fancy names, but if you’re just trying out the hobby for the first time, you’re better off experimenting with the basics to begin with.Work Surface The classic paintbrush and paper is always reliable.The last important supply you’ll need as a beginner, is a work surface to paint.While you may think a canvas is the best option, and it certainly is up there with the best, there are other options that will serve you just as well when starting out.Hardwood panels for example can prove to be excellent surfaces to get creative with. The main benefits of hardwood panels - which can be made of oak, or walnut for example - are that they last an age, and look fantastic. As a result, they make a great choice if you’re looking to gift your art to a loved one, or proudly stick it on display somewhere in the house.Paper is also a good option. Any type of paper will suffice, but you will probably experience better results with acrylic paper or watercolour paper. The heavy-duty acrylic paper will be a robust surface which will cater for many different techniques, while watercolour paper gives you a great variety of options for different eff ects and textures.Choosing a work surface essentially boils down to personal preference, but if you’re coming into the world of acrylic painting on a budget, a canvas or paper will likely be your best bets.Acrylic Paint Techniques for Beginners You’re only limited by your imagination with acrylic paint.When you have all your supplies together, you’re ready to begin experimenting with some of the many acrylic painting techniques out there. So as not to get too far ahead of ourselves we’re going to provide a brief overview of 10 of the most important, and most basic, techniques to get you started.DrybrushingThe simplest technique you’ll find in acrylic painting is without a doubt the drybrush. This technique consists of applying the paint directly to the canvas, which will give you a solid block of colour to manipulate with your brush. This technique is great for framing a painting, or for adding larger elements to your work.SplatteringA fun sounding technique, splattering is concerned with flicking paint from your brush onto the canvas to create a splattering effect. This technique requires a wet brush, and some paper towels nearby as it can get messy. This one is great for getting creative and making abstract scenes .DetailingUsing a brush with fine bristles, detailing is the technique which will allow you to create finer details for your work. Especially useful for faces, and other small details you’re looking to add to your art.GlazingA nice technique to add some shine and sparkle to your painting, glazing will help set your art out from the rest, while adding an interesting aesthetic element.LayeringLayering is the process of adding additional layers to your painting, to create a sense of depth. After the paint has dried (which shouldn’t take long with acrylic paint), you’ll be able to add extra layers to create the desired effect.BlockingThis technique requires minimal effort, so it's great for beginners. Tracing a picture, you will then choose different colours or shades for each part of the image in order to create an interesting visual. This one is fun for surreal paintings and for making something that looks great without needing plenty of experience in acrylic painting.MixingTher e is plenty of scope for mixing when it comes to acrylic painting. As well as the more traditional means of mixing to create new colours, like yellow and red to make orange, you can also get creative with different shades of the same colour. If you mix lighter and darker blues for example you can get some interesting shades which fall between the two, without needing to splash out extra cash for that specific shade of paint.DabbingAnother fun sounding technique like splattering, dabbing involves delicately or not so delicately tapping the top of the brush while holding it over the canvas. This will give you some interesting results and dotted patterns.StipplingStippling is a technique of painting on a number of small dots to the canvas to create interesting visual effects.WashingFinally, washing is a technique in acrylic painting that will create a similar effect to watercolour painting. This one is fun to experiment with drybrushing, as it can produce some outstanding end products. How to Find Acrylic Painting TuitionThere are a number of resources you can take advantage of to get ahead in acrylic painting.One of the best places to find acrylic painting classes is through the online course website: Udemy. Udemy has courses in a wide variety of subjects, including acrylic painting. You can work through the online course at your own pace and end up feeling confident expressing yourself through your new hobby.Here at Superprof, we have a team of qualified tutors on hand to help you get your acrylic painting up to speed in no time! Using the find a tutor near you search function on the website, you can see if there are some acrylic painting tutors in your area, but if not, you can always opt for online classes and reap the benefits.

What You Need To Know About The AIMS Test

What You Need To Know About The AIMS Test AIMS, or the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards is a state-required exam for elementary, middle, and high school students. The assessment is given to insure that Arizona classrooms are fulfilling the Arizona academic standards. Public school students in grades 3-8 and 10-12 are tested in reading, writing, science, and math. Test content depends on the grade, and corresponds to what students have learned in the classroom. All grades are tested on reading and math, while grades 5, 6, 7, and 10 must complete an additional writing portion. Only grades 4, 8, and 10 are tested on their science savvy. The AIMS assessment is designed to measure student proficiency in reading, writing, science, and math as required by state and federal law. Performance scores are reported as Falls Far Below, Approaches, Meets (which is considered passing) or Exceeds. The state-mandated AIMS exam is the central component of the Arizona State Accountability Model, as well as the Federal AYP model (the accountability portion of the No Child Left Behind Act). The Assessment Section of the Arizona Department of Education is responsible for giving the AIMS test as part of a statewide examination of Arizona public schools. Test writers work with educators to develop age-appropriate assessments and administer the annual exam. The AIMS A (Arizonas Instrument to Measure Standards Alternate) is a similar assessment that also meets federal guidelines to assess students who have cognitive disabilities. In order to graduate from Arizona public high schools, students must fulfill the AIMS High School Graduation Requirement, and pass the reading, writing, and math sections of the AIMS high school test. If students do not meet graduation requirements by the end of their senior year, their graduation from high school will be delayed and their diplomas withheld. Students will receive opportunities to study and retake the exam, or fulfill the AIMS requirements through other alternative methods. Doing well on AIMS exam can pay off. High school students who excel at the reading, writing, and mathematics sections may qualify for a scholarship to any of the three public state universities. To be eligible, students must complete 16 core courses (4 years of math and English, 3 years of lab sciences, 2 years of social sciences, 2 years of a foreign language, and 1 year of fine arts) by the end of their senior year, with a grade of B or better in each class. Students must also have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on an unweighted 4.0 scale, or be in the top five percent of their senior class. If a student doesnt exceed state standards on the three sections, they may still be eligible for a scholarship if they excel at 2 portions, and meet standards on the third. They would also have to score at least a 3 on two Advanced Placement (AP) exams or receive a 4 on two International Baccalaureate exams. The AIMS exam is designed to help Arizona gauge where students are in their education, and set standards as to where they should be. Through assessing students in public schools (including charter and district schools) educators and the state can work together to improve classroom learning, and help students graduate with the skills they need. The AIMS test also helps recognize qualified students through providing merit-based scholarships.

A Guide to Asian Cooking

A Guide to Asian Cooking Everything You Need to Know about Asian Food ChaptersAsian Cooking at a GlanceThe Best Asian Cooking BlogsEasy Asian RecipesChinese RecipesCooking with a Wok: the Magic PanWhy Is Asian Food so Different to Western Food?Whether for the Chinese New Year or just for a meal with friends, why not make some Asian cuisine?In this article, we’re going to have a look at a few different Asian recipes. Whether chicken noodle soup, Pad thai, egg fried rice, dumplings, stir fried beef and onion, or sweet and sour pork, you’ll be more than comfortable with the Asian culinary landscape by the time you finish reading.Let’s start by having a look around Asia before looking more closely at some of the most popular recipes before having a look at the wok, the magic pan that can make authentic Asian cuisine very different to ours. GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsAsian Cooking at a GlanceIf you say “Asian cuisine”, what food comes to mind first?Probably things like sushi, caramelised pork, Peking duck, or spring rolls.Get ready for a culinary tour of Asia! (Source: Sasint)But do you know which country each of these things come from?Let’s learn about the different specialities from around Asia:Chinese cuisine: Spring rolls get their name from the time of year they’re usually consumed, during celebrations announcing the arrival of spring. Chinese cuisine usually uses rice, noodles, vegetables, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. There are fewer spices used, except in S ichuan and Yunann regions.Thai cuisine focuses on the balance and precision between a variety of ingredients. It’s one of the most popular cuisines in the world. Rice and spices are the foundation of their dishes but if you want to make tom yum (a prawn soup), you’ll need to get prawns, mushrooms, and a fair few spices.Indian cuisine: you can taste the religious influence that greatly affects how Indians eat. Since there are a lot of vegetarians, there’s a lot of vegetarian Indian dishes.Burmese cuisine: there’s no messing about here, you eat with your hands! There’s a lot of fruit and vegetables used in Burmese food.Sticky rice is the basis for a lot of Lao cuisine. The world’s stickiest rice is often accompanied by meat, fish, and spices. The country’s capital, Vientiane, is also home to a large number of French restaurants, if you want something closer to home.Cambodian cuisine uses a lot of tropical fruit, rice, noodles, and soups. The large variety of rice availab le in Cambodia means that you can eat a different type of rice for every meal.Vietnamese food focuses on the 5 main types of taste: salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and spicy. Fish sauce, shrimp paste, soy sauce, rice, lemon grass, and fruit and vegetables are commonly used in Vietnamese dishes. It’s also famous for being some of the healthiest food around.The seasons are hugely important when it comes to Japanese food. There are very few oils and grease used in Japanese cuisine. Given that Japan’s made up of islands, it’s hardly surprising that fish features heavily in Japanese dishes.Kimchi, a dish made from fermented vegetables, is served with almost every meal in Korea. Unlike their Japanese neighbours, the Koreans eat a lot more meat than fish.You shouldn’t have any excuse for getting the various dishes confused now. If this little trip around Asia’s culinary landscape has whet your appetite, just wait until the next bit.The Best Asian Cooking BlogsNow that you know where some of the most famous Asian dishes come from, it’s time to put the theory into practice. To help you, here are the 5 best blogs for learning to cook Asian food.When it comes to learning to cook, visiting sites can be more helpful than visiting sights. (Source: Glavo)China Sichuan Food: As you can guess, this blog focuses mainly on food from the Sichuan region of China. It includes plenty of recipes for different traditional dishes. There are also posts on the eating culture in China if you’re interested in more than just the food.The Woks of Life: this blog is run by a few food lovers and includes traditional Chinese recipes as well as recipes from other cultures with a Chinese twist added to them. It’s a great idea for those looking to push the boat out a bit.My Korean Kitchen: as you can probably guess, this is a food blog for Korean food. In addition to the classics, there are some interesting recipes you probably won’t be familiar with. There’s also a useful shop on the blog for picking up the things you’ll need to start cooking.Just One Cookbook: This started as a collection of traditional family recipes. This also includes explanations of interesting cooking techniques used for making Japanese dishes. In addition to main courses, there are also recipes for desserts like green tea shaved ice.No Recipes: a great mix for anyone wanting to learn how to cook Japanese food (and others). There’s a good mix of recipes on here. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or fairly experienced when it comes to cooking, you’ll find something you’ll enjoy making. As the same suggests, though, this blog focuses on getting a better understanding of techniques and ingredients so you can start cooking without the need for recipes.Get your apron on and fire up the stove!Ready for the next step? GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Tea cher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsEasy Asian RecipesIf you’re interested in cooking Asian food but are an absolute beginner, don’t worry, we’ve got easy recipes to get even the most inept chef cooking tasty meals.Here’s a quick example: Chinese noodle and vegetable stir-fry.Noodles can be simple and delicious. (Source: Vinsky2002)Ingredients for serving four people:200g of Chinese noodles400g of soybean sprout80g sliced Chinese mushrooms2 leek whites2 tablespoons of oyster sauce2 tablespoons of soy saucePreparation:Wash the mushrooms, slice the leeks, and rinse the soybean sprouts.Place the noodles in a pot of boiling water (as per the instructions on the packet).Rinse the noodles with cold water to stop them sticking together.Brown the mushrooms, leeks, and soybean sprouts in a bit of vegetable oil. Season with salt and pepper.Remove from the heat once cooked.Heat the noodles in the oyster and soy sauces.Add the vegetables after 2-3 minutes.Mix well and heat for a further 2-3.There you go! Asian recipes aren't always as complicated as you might think.Chinese RecipesIf Chinese food is your preferred  meal of choice on a Friday night you can find more recipes in our easy Chinese cooking blog.Cooking with a Wok: the Magic PanWhat’s better than making all your Asian recipes in a wok?You’ll quickly see that you can even use it for cooking western dishes.If you're going to be cooking a lot of Asian food, you should probably invest in a wok. (Source: Kalhh)So what are the advantages of using a wok for cooking Asian dishes?It’s fast:  Have you ever waited a long ti me in an Asian restaurant for a stir-fry? I doubt it!It’s cheap: since it’s quick, it requires less energy to heat then your traditional pan.It’s healthier: you don’t need to put a lot of grease or fat in a wok. If you buy a non-stick wok, you won’t need any. Less grease means fewer calories.There are 4 main ways to cook using a wok. You can:Sautéing: You can sauté plenty of different types of noodles as well as chicken or beef.Frying: You should probably ignore the part about cooking in a wok being healthy if you choose this option.Stewing: You could even cook beef bourguignon in a wok.Marinating: Do you need to make a nuoc mam for a dish? You can use your wok for this.Steaming: You’ll need a bamboo basket and a grill. Simply add water halfway up your wok and your food in the basket atop the grill. Cover and let it steam gently.Make sure your wok is hot before putting anything in it. You can throw a bit of water in to check. If it evaporates right away, your wok is re ady to be used.Since the wok will be hot, you’ll need an oil that can be used at high temperatures. Peanut oil is recommended since it has a high smoke point.You can learn these tips and more in cooking courses London or elsewhere!If you’re investing in a good wok, there are several materials to choose from: steel, iron, stainless steel, or non-stick. Historically, woks were cut from steel and pressed. These woks are fairly cheap but don’t tend to last as long.You should look for non-stick woks which will last longer. A wok with a 20 to 30cm diameter will give you enough space to comfortably mix ingredients together.Here are a few woks that are highly recommended:WokAvailable At:Size:Dishwasher Safe:Material:Price:Good Housekeeping Institute Score:Carbon Steel WokJohn Lewis24cmNoCarbon Steel £1898Ikea TolerantIkea33cmNoNon-stick £672Ken Hom Carbon Steel Performance WokJohn Lewis31cmNoCarbon Steel £28.9992Carbon Steel Wok (Flat Base)souschef.co.uk33cmNoCarbon Steel £1583Loft Co pper Effect WokMarks and Spencer30cmYesNon-stick £29.5075Why Is Asian Food so Different to Western Food?Do you like Asian cuisine and learning about Asian cooking?Of course you do or you wouldn’t have read this far. You’ve probably noticed that Asian food is quite different to a lot of Western cuisines.Why is that?This is the question that we’re hoping to answer in this part of the article.Firstly, the two cultures are diametrically opposed. A country’s cuisine is heavily influenced by its history, climate, and its culture. While a lot of bamboo grows in China, there’s not so much of the stuff in Spain. In Europe we grow a lot of wheat while rice is favoured in Asia.The two cuisines don’t use the same staples: European food uses wheat and Asian food uses rice.Furthermore, Asians regularly frequent markets, which can be found everywhere and at any time unlike in Europe where produce markets are often only a few days of the week. Asians use a lot of vegetables and spices, especially in India. We’re not as familiar with their versatility in the West.We season differently, too. In Asian cuisine, soy sauce is often used, whereas in European cuisine, there’s a reliance on olive oil, especially in the Mediterranean. This is where history can explain the roots of certain dishes. Soy sauce was used in ancient China and olive oil is thought to have originated in Crete.The way meats are cooked is also different between the two:Meat in Asia is often cut into thin slices and boiled. The wok is used to sauté, stew, fry, or steam it.Meat in Europe is often left whole so that different levels of cooking can be achieved in a pan. Steamed meat isn’t as common and Europeans prefer roast, grilled, or braised meat.Tastes are different, too. There are 5 main flavours: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and spicy.Asian cuisines tries to use all the flavours in harmony.European food, on the other hand, often only uses two of the flavours: salty or sweet. This is also why our stomachs can also sometimes struggle to digest the spicier foods from the continent.In short:“Asian cuisine” is as broad a term as “European cuisine” and it’s hard to talk about one or the other without going into more detail. In fact, Chinese food has almost nothing in common with Indian food.If you want to learn more about Asian food, there are plenty of different blogs you should check out.You can also find easy-to-follow recipes and impress your friends and take them on a culinary journey.Don’t forget to invest a wok if you’re looking to make Chinese or Vietnamese food. It’s a very useful tool that can even be used for cooking non-Asian cuisine, too.You should now know the main differences between Eastern and Western tastes.Book your next cooking courses  here.

The Key to LSAT Success Own Your Study Plan

The Key to LSAT Success Own Your Study Plan LSAT Law School Blog To get the most out of studying for any standardized exam, you need to completely own the preparation process. If you are working with an LSAT tutor, then yes, he or she should be an expert, and he or she should guide you. However, you are ultimately in control. Engage fully in designing your study plan to get the most out of the process. Before the law sits a gatekeeper. To this gatekeeper comes a man from the country who asks to gain entry into the law. But the gatekeeper says that he cannot grant him entry at the moment. The man thinks about it and then asks if he will be allowed to come in later on. “It is possible,” says the gatekeeper, “but not now.” --Franz Kafka, “The Law” I’ve helped a lot of future grad students get ready for a lot of different standardized tests over the years, and in that time I’ve arrived at two pieces of wisdom I consider to be bedrock. The first is that, if there’s one defining feature that distinguishes students who make the most gains in their test prep, it’s not any particular undergraduate major, or ivy league pedigree, or number of pencil graphiteâ€"it’s a willingness to take an active role in the process of their own test prep. The second piece of wisdom is that, of all the tests I teach, the one whose students are least likely to come to me knowing how to take an active role is the LSAT. I think it has a lot to do with the LSAT’s reputation. It seems like some impenetrable fortress, as old as time itself, to which no one gains access without the help of a wise guardian who knows the secret passages by which to smuggle in the lawyer-to-be, if he (the guardian) should desire to do so. This reputation itself is likely a product of the intimidating nature of law itself, and partly a product of the fact that the LSAT never changesâ€"neither in its difficulty, nor its style, nor its importance. It is almost as much of an institution as the law itself. But one key aspect of that reputationâ€"and a persistent problem for LSAT takersâ€"is that the LSAT questions themselves seem to resemble nothing most LSAT students have encountered before. They’ve done a lot of math problems, sure, but they’ve never done anything resembling the infamous Dinosaur Game from the June 2009 LSAT. They may have taken classes in formal logic, but that doesn’t necessarily prepare them for differentiating between a sufficient assumption and a necessary assumption. The LSAT seems to be a closed system, with no rules or principles but its own. Also, remember that there is no official pre-law major for undergrads. While the GRE looks a fair bit like the SAT, and while many GMAT students tend to have majored in business or finance, LSAT students come from every major. And, beyond that, they come from every walk of life. LSAT students tend to be the most age- and experience-diverse students I meet with, which is one of the things I like most about it. I’ve worked with plenty of college seniors majoring in poli-sci, but also with people in their sixties who only even declared a major because it was a requirement for graduating. What I’m trying to say is that because of its unique nature, there are a disproportionate number of LSAT students who come to me with no idea what is on the test, and with no game plan as to how they want to start figuring that out. By the time I first meet with a typical GRE student, I tend to know almost everything about her prep thus far. I know what books she’s been using, what she’s been scoring on practice tests, how many hours a week she’s been spending reviewing GRE vocabulary lists, whether she’s right brained or left brained, sometimes even what she plans to eat the morning of test day. A typical LSAT student, on the other hand, might guess that he will be bad at logic games because he heard they are difficult and because he is not good at math. Beyond that, he won’t give me much to go on. When I meet him for the first time, there’s a good chance he will have done little to no prep thus far, and will have little idea of what the different sections actually test or of where he really needs the most improvement. The GRE student will ask me what extra work she can do to prep when she and I aren’t meeting. The LSAT student, in this particular example, will not. And though I might recommend some homework, we are very likely to spend the first half of our next session reviewing things he forgot from the previous session. In either approach, of course, I’ll do my best to help craft a personalized study plan for the student. But with the GRE student, it feels like she already knows the direction her prep is going and is simply inviting me to step into an already-moving current. This is the right approachâ€"of course your tutor can be your guide, but at the end of the day, your tutor is a tool, amongst many other such tools, and you are the one who has to wield them. The LSAT student, on the other hand, seems to expect me to simply upload the information into his brain. Of course, not all LSAT or GRE students follow this pattern, but in my experience there is a strong, strong correlation. And I note the difference not because it makes my job any easier or harder, but because the students who fly the tutoring nest after having taken control of their test prep tend to do much better than the students who simply showed up and treated me like the teacher of a subject they had no interest in learning. So before you even meet with your tutor on Day One, you should familiarize yourself with the test as much as possible. This is just good business sense, peopleâ€"you’re going to get much less for your money if I have to spend the first thirty minutes of our first session explaining why the section people call “Logic Games” is called “Analytical Reasoning” on the test and the section I call “Arguments” is called “Logical Reasoning” on the test. Before you meet with anybody, I’d read up on the structure of the different sections of the test and I’d take a practice exam. In fact, I’d take several practice exams. Then, when you first meet your tutor, instead of asking what you need to work on, you can say, “This is what I need to work on; how can you help?” About the Author Steve is a graduate of Northwestern University, scored in the 99th percentile on the LSAT, and has been tutoring LSAT students for many years.

In the Spirit of Staying Positive Election Humor and 9 Common Phrases

In the Spirit of Staying Positive Election Humor and 9 Common Phrases It has only been a few days since The Donald became President-elect Trump.  (We dont have to call him President Trump just yet!)  Maybe you were shocked and horrified, like me.  Maybe you were one of the people who knew it would happen.  Maybe youre celebrating.  The scary thing is that since Tuesday night, there seems to be  even more arguing, name-calling and hate between the right and left  sides than during the campaign.  Dont worry, the point of this post is not to shine the light on the hate, its to cheer ourselves up while learning some common English phrases.  Today well get to know  the following phrases:in the spirit of: with the  intention ofhitch a ride: get a ride from someone (informal)rise above: not allow something unpleasant to influence youreach out to: make an effort to communicate with or help someonelive up to: fulfilla thing or two: refers to useful information that can be learned (informal)have a ways to go: have a lot of work to doa little push: some en couragementgive up hope: stop believing something is possibleI think its obvious from this post that Ive been cheering myself up during the election by watching The Daily Show.  This time, Jordan Klepper interviews both Trump and Hillary supporters to see if they can think of anything nice to say about  each other.  This video was taken before the results came, but it continues to be relevant between those who are #stillwithher and those who are happy America will be great again.  Fill in the blanks with the correct phrase in the comments section below.  Remember to conjugate the verbs!This has been a divisive nightmare of an election, but _____________ moving forward, at one of the debates the candidates themselves took an opportunity to say one positive thing about each other.I ____________ to a Trump rally to see if his supporters were also ready to _________ the anger and __________ the other side.I headed to a Hillary rally.  Surely her supporters would ________ their slog an of stronger together, and teach those hateful Trump voters ___________ about kindness.So, both camps  _____________.  Maybe they just needed ___________.Then, just when I __________, I finally heard it-that one positive thing.Doesnt it help to laugh?  Ok, so now that youve read the definitions and listened to examples, fill in the blanks below with the correct phrase.  Dont forget to leave your answers in the comments section!He needs to learn ___________ about respecting people.Hopefully Trump will not ________ his reputation._____________ being honest, I told her that her haircut looks bad.I havent talked to my grandmother in months, so I will __________ her today.I didnt have money for the bus, so I ____________ home.After the election, we must remember not to __________.My English is really improving, but I still _____________.  I should book a class with LOI!When he was bullied, he _________ the urge to fight back.Im a bit lazy with practicing my English, so sometimes I need ___________.  Thats why I booked a class with an amazing LOI instructor.Want to learn more?  Check out this extremely helpful post from one of our instructors, Peter: The Ultimate Guide to English Idiomatic Expressions

Online Content, Conventional TV, and the Golden Age of Television

Online Content, Conventional TV, and the Golden Age of Television image via http://likealady.bg/ Television advertising  became prevalent  in the 1950s, when companies like Kraft and General Electric  sponsored entire television shows. NBC revolutionized the concept in the 1960s with “TV Spots,” which we all know today as commercials. Advertising went from taking up 9 minutes of an hour-long program in the 1970s all the way up to 19 minutes in the ‘90s. Once advertisers were able to gain information regarding the demographics of different shows’ viewers thanks to Nielsen Ratings (the data collection system on the ages and amounts of people watching a given network show), they utilized product placement. Different series became vehicles for certain products, intertwining the characters’ choices and the plotlines with commercial goods. In my opinion, this poses a risk to the creative control of the show.   The advertisers are funding these shows, and since the series are operating on the given company’s dollar, which parts of the show are generated without profit-oriented bias, and which are forced upon the writers from the promotional demands and financial motivations of the corporation? image via http://protoepicnews.blogspot.com/ A show that does a great job of making fun of this is 30 Rock. The series focuses on a fictional NBC television show run by Liz Lemon (Tina Fey).   In the first few seasons, General Electric owns NBC, and Jack Donaghey (Alec Baldwin) plays the overbearing president of NBC who wants to assume control over Lemon’s creative choices. Each episode is speckled with jokes about vertical integration and product placement, with clear wisecracks at GE, who owned NBC in real life at the time. In one scene, Lemon is in Donaghey’s office. She gives a spiel about how great Verizon Wireless is, then looks directly at the camera and says, “can we have our money now?” A show like 30 Rock that actively draws attention to the commerciality aspect of network TV is the exception to the rule. Since network TV depends so much on corporate funding, the shows try to cater to the masses, which makes sense: the more viewers, the more ad spots are worth (since more people are seeing them and are likely to buy the product), so, the more money the show makes. This is where it gets problematic for me again, from a creative standpoint. For example, a comedy that tries to make everyone laugh will probably be less substantial of a series than one with a unique tone, catered to a certain taste. This could be why shows like Arrested Development didn’t do well initially. Fox cancelled the show after just three seasons, even though it won an Emmy. Arrested has dry, quick humor and expects the viewer to be smart enough to catch onto jokes, rather than dumb itself down for the sake of getting more viewers. This juxtaposes against series like Two and A Half Men,  which has  been called “mindless” comedy, yet has been on the air for 12 seasons and peaked at over 24 million viewers. In fact, the success of Arrested Development after its original run, and its subsequent Netflix season four revival, is a good example of the payoff of an online television medium compared to the traditional network model.  After working under the Netflix umbrella for the fourth season, the cast members criticized the show’s former network, Fox, regarding the conflict between airing a quality, creative show, even if it wasn’t a moneymaker for the network. David Cross, the actor who plays Tobias Funke, denounced the network: The networks were still behind in figuring out how people were watching TVâ€"they were still in that antiquated way that started in the 50s with a Nielsen Box. You cant look at the Nielsen ratings just because theres a family in Rhode Island that wasnt watching it at the timeâ€"thats not how people are watching TV anymore . . . The worst thing that happened to Fox was Arrested  winning the Emmy, cos they had to keep it on. Fox didnt have any real guts, but its a business [and] theyre not in the business of putting out great TV; theyre in the business of making as much money as they possibly can for Rupert Murdoch. Cross goes on to discuss how Netflix allowed Mitch Hurwitz, the show’s creator, to take creative control of the show and supported his decisions, whereas Fox would normally fight with Hurwitz and give him notes to change certain things. Where Fox was like “a girl you were dating who didn’t quite get you,” Netflix was “overly gracious and supportive.” When you think about harboring a creative environment necessary for a great television show, which one seems like it would produce higher quality content? image via doseoffunny.com Online mediums like Netflix and Hulu can’t use Nielsen Ratings for their shows; there are no time slots for these series, so theres no way to calculate how many viewers are tuned in since people watch on their own time. Ted Sarandos, the Chief Content Officer at Netflix, discussed the company’s own method of “ratings” when it comes to original content creation.  He specifically referenced House of Cards: “We read lots of data to figure out how popular Kevin Spacey was over his entire output of movies. How many people actually highly rate four or five of them? If you liked The Social Network, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button  and Fight Club, you’re probably a Fincher fanâ€"you probably don’t know it, but you are.” Sarandos continues that once the company has a sense of how many fans are out there, it can “more accurately predict the absolute market size for a show.” When you can predict a market size, you don’t have to cater to the masses. So where Nielsen measures an arbitrary rat race for the highest volume of viewers, Netflix utilizes a calculated forecast based on viewer preference and artistic style and genre. Again, which method seems like it would keep a show afloat based on real merit? The growing artistic diversification of online television is becoming more and more apparent. Choosing a TV show to watch is becoming more like browsing a library with endless material of all types and genres, rather than a passive activity mottled with infrequent, arbitrary channel surfing. The Internet is an interactive tool, one where the users actively seek out content they want to watch. Predetermined time slots don’t hold the clout they once did. Mass-market appeal is no longer the winning strategy. Don’t get me wrong: broadcast television is the best medium when it comes to time-sensitive, cultural content, like the news. It can be a unifying medium in times that call for national involvement, like when the first plane hit the World Trade Center on 9/11, or when the news broke that Osama Bin Laden was captured and killed.   However, scripted series seem to be a different story altogether. Television is in its Golden Age, and it is thanks to these online mediums who are providing the creative freedom and creating premium content funded by subscription dollars, rather than bowing down to advertisers. Television is reaching its peak quality. You might be wondering why this is all of any importance. It’s just TV, after all. However, television is an integral part of our culture, whether we realize it or not. Throughout the second half of the 20th century, TV unified our nation through shows like I Love Lucy, The Brady Bunch, and Friends.  People identified with it, and it became a representation of our culture. The thing about appealing to the masses (read: most network television) is that many aspects of our culture get overlooked, and minorities are often underrepresented or not represented at all. Online mediums like Netflix have been able to break this barrier in recent years. Series like Orange is the New Black, with an almost all-female cast in a women’s prison, probably wouldn’t last on traditional television. The show stars white, black, Latina and Asian women, depicting many minorities all at once. The diversification of TV on these online mediums will only increase a more diverse representation of America. Tim Wu of The New Republic magazine said it perfectly: “A culture where niche supplants mass hews closer to the original vision of the Americas, of a new continent truly open to whatever diverse and eccentric groups showed up. The United States was once, almost by definition, a place without a dominant national identity. As it revolutionizes television, Netflix is merely helping to return us to that past.”