Basic Concepts of Nuclear Chemistry

Basic Concepts of Nuclear ChemistryNuclear Chemistry is a type of science that deals with the atomic structure of substances or atoms and relates it to the formation of complex objects from simpler substances. It deals with the properties of atoms, ions, molecules, and other groups of particles.Nuclear Chemistry is mostly considered as a branch of chemistry but actually there are many other branches as well. All these branches deal with different issues in the system of atoms and electrons. They include Chemistry of some metals, Astronomy, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry of minerals. To name a few.Atomic structures of atoms and ions are the most fundamental and important parts of chemistry. That is how substances are formed. Elements have an electron cloud of particles that is attached to the nucleus of the atom or ion. It is important to understand that an atom or ion is composed of protons and neutrons which are always orbiting each other. They release energy and that energy passes on to the outside of the atom.A chemical process in a cell is the movement of molecules from one place to another through pores in the cell wall and the diffusion of the molecules across the cell membrane. It is important to understand that the atom is the basic unit of matter. As mentioned above there are many types of atoms. An atom is made up of three positively charged particles called protons and neutrons. These particles combine together to form atoms and this process is called atom splitting.Bonds are groups of atoms that stick together and have a lot of energy when the bond breaks. One can find bonds between atoms of different elements and even of different types of particles. If you know more about bonding, it can help you understand more about atomic structure and its interaction with the surrounding environment. The basic difference between the bonds and electrons is that the bonds allow electrons to be contained in the same atoms while the electrons are free in the bond s. Atoms and molecules are also important to understand. In molecules the atoms, protons and neutrons are arranged in different ways like a regular block. This block is often termed a molecule. Each molecule contains atoms in different ways. For example nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, sodium, and chlorine are two of the common elements. Molecules are able to pass freely through the pores of the cell wall, which is very important in the process of cell growth.The main source of information about nuclear chemistry is books or articles on the subject written by experts. In fact some of the best books on nuclear chemistry are written by chemists who understand the whole process and have knowledge of several sources of information. You can check out books on nuclear chemistry. These books have had some impact in the field of chemistry and it is necessary to read them.

Best strategies to improve your Memory - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Best strategies to improve your Memory - Introvert Whisperer Best strategies to improve your Memory Most of the students undergo the same problem while preparing for their exams which is “remembering things”. While preparing for exams like UPSC, JEE it requires quicker grasping power and immediate recalling. Here are few tips by which you can improve your memory and can crack UPSC, JEE with flying colors. Take proper sleep Your body needs around 6-8 hours of sleep for effective and optimum performance. If you are not taking adequate and sound sleep, this will adversely affect your learning abilities and your power to grasp new things will be reduced significantly. As the body will not be relaxed, you will feel lethargic and sleepy the next day. This ultimately leads to lack of concentration and focus, which is the root cause of many memory issues. So, take proper and adequate sleep to re-energize your brain and body. Eating Right Preparation time is a very crucial time and lacking focus can result in catastrophic results. Avoid junk foods such as pizzas, burgers etc as these are rich in fats and also not good for stomach. You can have them occasionally but not on a regular basis. Rather you should focus on green vegetables such as spinach, cauliflower, broccoli etc which are rich in antioxidants and help in growth of new brain cells. Eat fresh fruits daily or have a glass of fruit juice. You can opt for seasonal fruits but having pomegranate juice is recommended. The fibers and nutrients in the fruits help to remove harmful toxins from the body and keep you fresh all day long. Also, remember don’t ever skip your breakfast. Breakfast is the first meal of the day and provides you with the energy for all day long activities. Breakfast should be healthy and in sufficient amount.

4 Things NOT to Let Slide During Senior Year

4 Things NOT to Let Slide During Senior Year The following is a guest post written by Anna Carapellotti of Admissionado, a premier college admissions consulting company focused on helping students get into their dream schools. Seniors, youre in the homestretch (well, almost!). As we rapidly approach the Early Decision / Early Action deadlines, knowing that the Regular Decision deadlines are just around the corner, were here to remind you that now is not the time to lose motivation. In order to sail through senior year with success, its important that you keep your grades up, stay involved, and keep your eye on the prize (the acceptance letter, that is). So, with that in mind, here is a list of four ways to ensure a strong finish to your high school career: Grades Raise your hand if youre busy calculating the absolute minimum that you have to achieve this year in order to keep a competitive GPA. Hopefully no ones hand went up, but if yours did, consider this: What if you dont get into the school of your dreams and decide to transfer? What if you decide to apply for a scholarship, fellowship, etc. sophomore year of college and they request your high school transcript? It certainly wont look great if you dont have either a steadily improving or consistent GPA. For one, a significant drop in your GPA shows a lack of motivation and maturity. Why should anyone assume youre willing to work hard now if you werent willing to work hard then? Second, you might actually be missing out on material that will be useful to you in college. And finally, you will risk jeopardizing your relationships with your high school teachers, counselors, and administrators, who might otherwise be able to support you in your ambitions. Which brings us to Relationships Whether or not you have plans to return to your hometown, its important to continue to build relationships at your high school through senior year (and we dont just mean with your friends). As you grow older, you will learn that the connections you make truly matter. So if nothing else, continuing to work hard and make a good impression will simply be good practice for the future. At the same time, you never know when you might need to call upon a former teacher, your principal, or another adult at your school for a letter of recommendation or a reference. However, at the same time, were certainly not suggesting that you build relationships with the sole goal of getting something out of them. Were simply encouraging you to continue to work hard, do well in your classes, and remain involved in extracurricular activities in such a way that people are impressed with your effort. If you do so, these connections will form naturally and you will have a solid network to build upon in the future. Extracurricular activities While you certainly need to set aside some extra time to spend with your friends and family, work on your college applications, and perhaps even visit some college campuses, senior year is not the time to let your extracurricular activities and community involvement slide. These activities will help you continue to build a strong foundation for success with skills surrounding time management, teamwork, and leadership, in addition to helping you discover where your strengths and passions lie. Moreover, staying involved, whether it be in a sport, art, or volunteer effort, will help you continue to strengthen the relationships referenced above. College application essays Last but not least: your application essays. Chances are you already have a solid draft of your Common Application essay (we hope!), but some (if not all) of those school supplements may remain unchecked on your to-do list. We have three words for you: Dont. Burn. Out. With many of you applying to six or mores schools, you might find it difficult to remain motivated until the very end. But its important that you do, and heres why even if youre considering a gap year, feel like youre a shoo-in at a certain school, or think youll ultimately transfer, youll still want to make sure youve put your best foot forward. First of all, this will give you more options. Depending on where youre applying, even the brightest of students arent necessarily guaranteed admission. And a great, truly personal application essay can help tip the scale in your favor. Second, youll simply feel better waiting for those admissions letters if you know you tried your hardest. So write, rewrite, rewrite again, and be sure to proofread for clarity and errors. The end product should be something that youre proud of. If you keep working hard, stay involved, and put forward an application that reflects your best effort, then you should feel confident that you have set yourself up for admission and success. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Your Guide to Kickboxing

Your Guide to Kickboxing Starting Kickboxing? Here are the Essentials ChaptersA Guide to Kickboxing RulesThe Essential Kickboxing EquipmentKickboxing, Muay Thai, or Savate?Some of the Kickboxing World ChampionsWhy Try Kickboxing? The Health BenefitsSo, you’re thinking of starting with kickboxing.Maybe, you’ve looked into kickboxing classes, enthusiastic about throwing a roundhouse kick. Maybe, your pals have told you about the thrills of the kickboxing workout, with its aerobic and cardio workout. Maybe, you’ve seen a kickboxing champion or two perform on the tv â€" and feel inspired to give it a go yourself.Whatever the reason for your interest in this combat sport, you’re in for something really special when you get yourself into the gyms and can finally call yourself a kickboxer. It’s a wonderful sport: high intensity, full contact, and supremely elegant at the same time.And if you are going all the way with it, you’re not letting yourself in for just an exceptional fitness program, but you’re going to building incredible balance and e xcellent self-defense skills too.There’s hardly a downside â€" unless you consider receiving punches in the face a downside. The point, however, is a different one. Whilst, as a martial art, kickboxing receives either sneering dismissals as ‘too violent’ or responses that are just based on fear, if you are not too fussy about a few bruises, kickboxing is a great sport in so many ways.So, don’t listen to the haters, and don’t fear too much about the fists you’ll receive (you’ll be wearing protection). Just enjoy it â€" and get in shape whilst you’re doing it. AndreyBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KostiaBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LeeBoxing Teacher £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SajBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KaranBoxing Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ThomasBoxing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all ou r tutors HaileyBoxing Teacher 4.50 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidBoxing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsA Guide to Kickboxing RulesAs with any sport â€" literally any sport from the combat sports or the mixed martial arts to football and tennis â€" there is little you can do in kickboxing without knowing the rules.So, let’s start here with a brief run down of them â€" but note that you can find more information on this in our guide to kickboxing rules.The aim of a kickboxing match is to win. And, to do that, you have a number of options. Firstly, you’re aiming to knock the other person out â€" either literally or through what is known as a ‘technical knock out’, in which either the ref, the doctor, or your opponent himself deems themselves unfit to continue.The second way is through points. If neither of you have knocked the other out, then this is what is going to happen. At the end of the match, the three or five judges will r eveal the scores that they have taken at the end of each round. These will either be ’10-10’, ’10-9’, ’10-8’, or ’10-7’, depending on the strength of the win (including the number of takedowns and the effectiveness of the respective boxers’ display).That’s pretty much it. But watch out, because there are plenty of things that you can’t do, depending on what type of kickboxing you are doing. Whilst in Muay Thai, elbows are allowed, they ain’t in other forms â€" in which you can’t clinch or grapple either. Kickboxing can be a pretty brutal sport.The Essential Kickboxing EquipmentAlthough the fundamental principles of kickboxing are fairly straightforward, the kit required can run to a pretty long list.As you can expect, the majority of this is protective gear, covering all the different parts of your body. And whilst it immediately might seem like it’s all a bit over the top, it really isn’t â€" and you’ll agree soon enough.The majority of this equipment is mandatory â€" meaning that you can’t participate in any bouts without them. Which is something well worth taking into consideration. Meanwhile, whilst your boxing gym may well provide boxing gloves and mitts, consider the smell: it’s just better to have your own.Here are a few that you might need.Boxing Gloves â€" You won’t be allowed in any bout without them. Often fighters put hand wraps beneath their gloves too, for extra protection.Body Armour â€" That means headgear, shin pads, a gumshield and groin protection. You ain’t gonna last long in the ring without them.Clothing â€" Obviously, this one is a given. But you need to have specific length shorts and the right shoes to be able to kickbox.Find out what other gear you might need in our article on kickboxing equipment. Make sure to invest in the right kickboxing gear AndreyBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KostiaBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LeeBoxing Teacher £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SajBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KaranBoxing Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ThomasBoxing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HaileyBoxing Teacher 4.50 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidBoxing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsKickboxing, Muay Thai, or Savate?Kickboxing, really, has a long and complex history, drawing its inspiration, rules, and movements from Muay Thai kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, full contact karate, taekwondo, English boxing, and French savate.Really, it’s a mixture of styles from across the world â€" and this is both its beauty and its complexity for beginners.Because where a re you supposed to start if, at the gym, you see classes for savate, Muay Thai, Glory kickboxing, or oriental rules. These things should come with an explainer which, unfortunately, they rarely ever do.But let’s take these three â€" Muay Thai, Savate, and kickboxing â€" in a bit of detail here. Their particular styles and histories are pretty different.Check out more on the different styles of kickboxing.Muay ThaiLike other styles of boxing from east Asia â€" ‘Burmese’ boxing or lethwei from Myanmar and the Malaysian Tomoi â€" Muay Thai is ancient, dating back hundreds of years, and potentially even further. It simply means ‘Thai boxing’.What’s striking about Muay Thai is that, unlike other forms of kickboxing, it uses ‘eight limbs’ â€" or elbows and knees as well as hands and feet â€" as well as grappling and clinching.It remains fairly ferocious: full contact and risky, but completely exhilarating to watch and be part of.KickboxingIn the fifties, in Japan, professi onal fighters started to look elsewhere for inspiration. Karate was publicly displayed all over the place, yet, at the time, it was very rare that anyone would actually make full contact.This changed when kickboxers started to fuse elements of Muay Thai into their karate style. It was here that kickboxing was born â€" and it soon spread across the world, picking up elements from different combat sports as it went.These days, kickboxing remains a generic term for combat sports that allow the punch and kick. So, whilst there are many varieties and lots of different rulebooks, it is a heterogenous discipline.SavateDeveloping from the shipyards and street fighting techniques in France in the nineteenth century, savate is often thought of as fencing without weapons. It is elegant, eloquent, and composed, with mesmerising shapes and movements.The main weapon is savate is your feet â€" and you have to wear particular shoes for this. It, like Muay Thai boxing, get’s pretty brutal too. Kickboxing is really excellent exerciseSome of the Kickboxing World ChampionsUnless you’re into the sport, there is little chance that you will have heard of the big names in kickboxing. In mainstream discourse, hardly even the world championships and the world champion get much attention â€" in the UK at least.Yet, the great names in the sport are icons â€" and formidable athletes at the same time. And if you are starting out in kickboxing, you should look to these guys and girls for inspiration.We have a larger list of kickboxing world champions and heroes, yet here we’ll just focus on a few â€" to whet your appetite.Giorgio PetrosyanOne of the current heroes of kickboxing, Giorgio Petrosyan is known for his defense techniques and his lightning fast counters.His record is a massive 101 wins to two losses and two draws â€" and he is hoping to continue on such form for a long time to come.Cris ‘Cyborg’One of the legends of the female game, Cris Cyborg is a record-breaker in h er field. Her specialty is in MMA â€" mixed martial arts â€" yet her kickboxing is incredible too.Having won female fighter of the year more times than pretty much anyone else, she will remain a hero of the sport forever.Sittichai SitsongpeenongCompletely at the top of his game right now, Sittichai Sitsongpeenong is a Thai fighter and lightweight hero. It seems to be fairly unanimous that he is the best lightweight fighter in the world right now.If you’re looking for what contemporary kickboxing can be, he is your man.Why Try Kickboxing? The Health BenefitsKickboxing is a real physical workout. Like, a total body workout. If you have fitness goals towards which you are aiming â€" whether that’s to get fit, to reduce stress, or just to get your heart pumping a bit more often â€" then kickboxing can work wonders for you.With the combination of fat-burning cardio and intense muscle toning, kickboxing really is, more than anything, just excellent exercise.This is why it has become s o popular in recent years, with gyms offering fitness kickboxing, fitness programs using parts of the kickboxing repertoire, and training of all the muscle groups.And the beauty of exercise is that it does so many more things that we take for granted. Sure, you burn calories, enable fat loss, and develop your cardiovascular endurance. But you also build self-confidence and develop your self-esteem, concentration, and mental health too.Follow the link for more information on the health benefits of kickboxing.

How to play the digital piano

How to play the digital piano Learn to play the digital piano ChaptersCan the digital piano replace the acoustic piano?Different ways to learn to play the digital pianoLearn to play the digital piano with private lessonsWith their fingers moving quickly across the keys, showcasing an unfathomable suppleness and dexterity, the virtuoso pianist leaves their mark on the listeners of any performance.Ray Charles, Nina Simone, and Stevie Wonder have all left their mark on the world of music, and their melodies have provided a backdrop to generations of fans. The way they play keys, press the pedals, and that expression on their face as they play all seem to exude a certain enigmatic sensuality. But does a musician’s performance depend on whether they’re playing a piano keyboard or an electric piano?A 2010 study by the chamber of instrument sellers in France found that the total market for musical instruments came to about $300 million per year.Out of this total however, it’s interesting to note that the total cost of acoustic pianos being sold was slightly less than money from digital piano and keyboard sales, making up 15% and 16% respectively.Keyboards and digital pianos are now an integral part of the music market today, especially given the amazing success of different Japanese and Korean brands.The Japanese Casio and Yamaha brands, for example, have become synonymous with children's first piano lessons. They specialize in models like the Clavinova or the Silent system, and make up a whopping 15-20% of total revenue from instruments sold in 2010.There are many reasons the professional pianists and amateur piano players alike would choose to play digital pianos instead of the heavy, expensive, and bulky acoustic piano models. Are acoustic pianos perhaps destined to become extinct, relegated to public gardens and middle school music classes in favor of Yamaha arias and Casio privia?It’s another good reason to consider learning to play the digital piano and how to take advantage of all its features in order to become a modern, 21st century, piano virtuoso.SaveSave

The Best Time of the Year to Visit Taiwan

The Best Time of the Year to Visit Taiwan Our Mini Travel Guide: When to Visit Taiwan ChaptersTaiwan at a GlanceWhat Is the Climate Like in Taiwan?When Is the Best Time to Visit Taiwan?How Long Should You Spend Visiting Taiwan?What Cultural Events Are there to Enjoy in Taiwan?“To travel is to live” - Hans Christian AndersenWhether you’re going to Taiwan to immerse yourself in the language or to visit Taipei, what are the must-see sights on the island?2018 was the fourth time that Taiwan was visited by over 10 million tourists in a single year and an increasing number of westerners are starting to visit the island.Are you planning a trip to Taiwan?Here’s everything you need to know.Kuomintang in 1949 and refers to itself the Republic of China.Taiwan has a high standard of living. (Source: cegoh)It’s independent in terms of its administrator and politics but at an international level, doesn’t hold international relations, doesn’t have a seat at the UN (where it’s represented by the People's Republic of China), and is only recognised by 18 countries in th e world.Political tension between Taipei and Beijing has been running hot and the Chinese government has reiterated that it would use force against the independence movement.The island has been a liberal democracy since the Kuomintang lost the civil war against the communists in 1949. During the latter half of the 20th century, the island underwent rapid economic growth becoming one of Four Asian Dragons, countries that underwent impressive and sustained economic growth during the 1960s.  As a result, the island became famous for its production, “Made in Taiwan”, and its clout in the global markets.With a population of 23.5 million (2017) across 13,974 mi ², Taiwan is ethnically 98% Han Chinese and 2% Austronesian, the indigenous peoples.Visiting Taiwan is a way to enjoy traditional Chinese culture in a country that’s more progressive than its neighbour and frenemy, the People's Republic of China.In 2016, the separatist candidate Tsai Ing-wen became the first female head of st ate with 56% of the votes against the candidate from the Kuomintang; a score indicative of the country’s opinion of its relationship with the People's Republic of China.With Kenting National Park, Yangmingshan National Park, Yushan National Park, Taroko Gorge, Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Sun Moon Lake, a trip to Taiwan is a way to enjoy a mix of tradition and modernity at the same time.Only the west coast of Taiwan is urbanised; the centre of the island is home to mountains and the pacific coast all the way down to the southern tip at Kenting.Find out more about why you should visit Taiwan.What Is the Climate Like in Taiwan?Before you book your flights to Taipei, you need to think about what the weather’s going to be like. Taiwan in Southeast Asia is home to a humid subtropical climate that’s tempered by the mountains.Taipei has a subtropical climate so sometimes it'll be too humid to visit anything. (Source: Yenyu_Chen)The Tropic of Cancer intersects the island a nd there’s a subtropical climate in the north and a tropical climate in the south. There are two main seasons throughout the year, a dry season from October to March and a humid season from March to October.In summer, the island is subjected to typhoons and monsoons, with high temperatures (over 30 °C between July and September, sometimes reaching 35-40 °C, an average of 21 °C) and heavy rains (over 2,500mm).The heat in the cities can be suffocating because the humidity makes it feel even hotter.Temperatures of 37-38 °C are unbearable when combined with the pollution and humidity. And that’s just in April!Strong winds and cyclones from the north Pacific aren’t ideal, either.In winter, the island is still rainy but there’s less of it. The south is drier than the north but temperatures can drop under 10 °C.Temperatures reach freezing and it snows every year on the mountains in the centre of the island. In Taipei, 20 °C is the average but it can fluctuate between 25 °C and 15 ° C and grey skies, from pollution, regularly blanket the city.The climate’s duality means that it’s almost always raining somewhere in Taiwan and the monsoons and typhoons are increasingly violent.Find out more about the best things to see in Taiwan. NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhen Is the Best Time to Visit Taiwan?While you can visit Taiwan at any time of the year, winter is the best time to go.Sun Moon Lake isn't great in winter. (Source: seancom)Typhoons are uncommon between October and March, the rains are less common, and the air’s more breathable.  This is also the low season when prices drop but the services and infrastructure remain the same. As a result, there’s a lot of accommodation available.In the summer, it’s hot and you can enjoy the beaches and waters that are 29 °C!  If you’re visiting Taipei, March, April, May, August, and September are the best months to visit but there are a lot of rainy days.There are also several other Taiwanese cities where the weather is nice the majority of the year: Nantou, Hsinchu, Taichung, and Miaoli.It’s also a good time to hike in the mountains by Sun Moon Lake, Mount Yu-Shan, Kaohsiung with its Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Shoushan (Monkey Mountain), or Tainan.You need to keep in mind that the climate varies by region:Dry and mild in the south in winter.Humid and fresh in the north in winter.Humid and hot everywhere in the summer.Cold in the mountains in winter.Risks of typhoons from July to October.So the best time to visit Taiwan seems to be from the end of October to the beginning of March.Find out more about accommodation in Taiwan.How Long Should You Spend Visiting Taiwan?Would you like to visit Taiwan for a while and learn Chinese, enjoy the cuisine including xiaolongbao and noodle soup, visit the night markets, or visit historic monuments like the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall?If you really want to see everything Taiwan has to offer, you'll need at least a month. (Source: Linlin929)To learn more about the history of Taiwan, its diplomatic relationships with Beijing and the Chinese government, the colonisation of the island by the Qing and Ming Dynasties, and the Buddhist and Taoist traditions, you really need to spend a few months there.However, you should keep in mind that you can only spend 90 days in Taiwan without a visa. Of course, it can be difficult visiting Taiwan if you don’t speak any Chinese, especially in places like restaurants wh ere the whole menu will be written using Chinese characters. The Taiwanese tend to speak little English but the younger generations are starting to learn more English. Street signs are often translated into English or written in Chinese Pinyin, making them easier to understand.A week in Taiwan is enough to explore several essential sites but you won’t get to see them all.On a week-long trip, you could visit:Monuments and night markets in Taipei.Taroko Gorge and Hualien (by train, for example).Sun Moon Lake.Tainan, Taiwan’s most traditional city.If you stay for 10 days, you could add Kenting National Park, Alishan National Scenic Area, and the tea plantations in Kaohsiung and Puli.If you’re going to learn the language, you’ll have plenty of time to visit all the attractions in Taipei and other Taiwanese towns and cities:Chiang Kai-shek Memorial HallSun Yat-sen Memorial HallTaiwanese night markets (Yongkang, Songshan, Shilin, Raohe, etc.)Taipei 101 TowerXiangshan (Elephant Mou ntain) in TaipeiThe Tamsui neighbourhoodYangmingshan National ParkShi-men Ting neighbourhoodLongshan TempleYushan National ParkTo visit Taiwan and not be rushing around, we recommend that you spend between 2 weeks and a month. You’ll also need a few days to get over your jet-lag. There are so many things to do, after all.What Cultural Events Are there to Enjoy in Taiwan?There are certain times of the year you might want to avoid because it’ll be busy and expensive.Here’s a list of traditional events and celebrations that take place each year in Taiwan:The Mid-Autumn Festival, 13 September 2019Taipei Film Festival, 27 June to 13 July 2019Taitung International Balloon Festival, 29 June to 12 August 2019Ghost Festival, 15 August 2019Confucius' Birthday, September 28 2019The Double Ninth Festival, 7 October 2019National Day of the Republic of China, 10 October 2019Chinese New Year, 25 January 2020Lantern Festival, usually around February and MarchBuddha's BirthdayDragon Boat Festi val (Tuen Ng Festival)Of course, westerners can attend any of these events but during bank holidays, museums, monuments, restaurants, and shops will all be closed as the Taiwanese tend to spend time with their families. You could definitely enjoy the Chinese New Year or the Lantern Festival, for example!If you'd like to learn a bit of the local language before you go, why not get some help from one of the talented tutors on Superprof?

Getting to Grips with Office Politics - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Getting to Grips with Office Politics - Introvert Whisperer Getting to Grips with Office Politics If you work in an environment with more than two people you have likely experienced office politics and it can be difficult to deal with if you don’t have a knack for it, especially for those who are naturally introverted. It can seem daunting when everyone around you is competing and you don’t want to get involved and potentially spoil some of your friendly working relationships. However, with the right mindset, you can achieve anything and this includes successfully navigating your way through office politics. If you are someone who is ambitious and want to make the most out of your career, you will need to deal with the fact that office politics are a part of reality and it is better to get on top of the situation rather than avoid it. Below are some tips from GetCRM on how to deal with office politics. Avoid negative confrontations Perhaps the main thing people worry about when participating in office politics is a falling out between co-workers. Do your best to stay out of any conflicts which turn sour so that you do not become embroiled in a lose-lose situation. The best thing to do in such a scenario is to attempt to re-establish amicable communications between conflicting parties to stabilize the situation and bring some much-needed rationality and reason. Develop genuine friendships There is simply no better way to become liked and supported in the workplace than forming true friendships. Be professional yet open and friendly with your co-workers and fellow professionals and you will find yourself in good stead during any office politics. Try to be balanced Showing favoritism and picking sides may seem to have its benefits, but ultimately it is far better practice to have a balanced and open approach to how you deal with office politics. This enables you to see things from each side and form a more logical and truthful understanding of events. It will also help signify to your fellow employees that you are someone who can be reasoned with as you do not obstinately stick to one particular point of view. Implement these actionable tips to deal with office politics in your workplace and thrive in your career.

Atoms, Modal Verbs and Phrasal Verbs An English Listening Exercise

Atoms, Modal Verbs and Phrasal Verbs An English Listening Exercise If youve been taking our English classes for any time, you probably already know that modal verbs and phrasal verbs are some of the most difficult things to learn. Weve done a lot of lessons to explain them, including a video series on English modal verbs.Recently I was watching this TED Ed video on the size of atoms and noticed that it had a lot of modal verbs, and a few phrasal verbs as well. Its a really interesting video, with great animation. You can watch the video below, and then try to answer the questions in the exercise. Fill in the gaps with phrasal verbs or modal verbs. You can put your answers in comments, and well let you know if theyre correct.1. You probably already know that everything is ____ __ __ little tiny things called atoms.2. You _____ even know that each atom is made up of even smaller particles called protons, neutrons and electrons.3. Lets ____ __ each of the atoms.4. You _____ remember the old pictures of atoms from your science class.5. If you ______  _ ___ the blueberry and ____ searching for the nucleus, ___ be invisible.6.  So, if everyone on the earth _____ their own car, and they dont, and you put all of those cars into your box, that _____ be about the density of a nucleus.Reading questionsHow big would the nucleus be if you made the atom the size of a football stadium?What do you think the gorilla in the background is a reference to? (Hint, it is related to another scientific experiment). Mariz  Hi Paul, it is certainly a good exercise! I have a friend whos teaching an ESL course I will refer this to her. The students for sure will like this ?? LOIEnglish Thanks Mariz! Im glad you enjoyed it. How did you do on the the exercise? Anna Pfitzner COULD you publish the tapescript as well?

Keith Boeckner Award 2019

Keith Boeckner Award 2019 Im proud to be this years Keith Boeckner Award winner for my contribution to the English Second Language community in Quebec, Canada. The award was issued by Société pour le perfectionnement de lenseignement de langlais, langue seconde, au Québec (SPEAQ). Heres a list of other winners of this award. See my other awards here. In the the photo below, thats me with my wife Helen Hefter and M. Karl Subban, the keynote speaker at this years SPEAQ Conference and the father of the famous hockey player and philanthropist. It was taken on November 21, 2019. Nicholas Walker (me), M. Karl Subban, and Helen Hefter at SPEAQ 2019 He spoke about his career as a teacher and principal and how he has learned to emphasize potential as the most important characteristic of every student. He quoted Henry Adams, Teachers affect eternitythey can never tell where their influence stops. Keith Boeckner Award 2019 I met Joan Beckner, wife of the late Keith Boeckner and the co-founder of SPEAQ. She was very warm and interested to learn about my work on automatic formative evaluation of writing. She said that her late husband was a prolific materials developer and innovator in ESL, having developed the first computer lab for ESL in Quebec. She also told me that the first SPEAQ Conference was held at Ahuntsic College. It was organized during a postal strike, so all promotion of the conference was word-of-mouth. Who knew? Meeting Joan and Karl Subban and receiving the award in such august company were great honours, for which I am very grateful. Please follow and like us: