Tips for Navigating Difficult Office Politics - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Tips for Navigating Difficult Office Politics - Introvert Whisperer Tips for Navigating Difficult Office Politics The term “office politics” often conjures images of saber-rattling co-workers talking themselves up, gunning for a promotion, or claiming a project all for themselves. Nothing could be further from the behavior of an introvert. However, it’s certainly possible for those who are less socially outgoing to successfully engage in difficult office politics. Here are a few ways that introverts can use their natural inclinations and abilities in order to navigate the often dangerous waters of workplace politics. Remember Your Strengths Introverts are typically calm and collected. While they may not possess great leadership skills, their strengths lie in areas like genuine productivity and detail-oriented focus. Introverts can begin and end a project correctly, demonstrating incredible consistency throughout the process. They also are extremely good at actively listening to others, thinking things through, and being aware of those around them. Don’t accept the notion that this state of affairs leave you at a disadvantage. Instead, boldly wield your strengths to your advantage, especially whenever you find yourself faced with a situation that involves difficult office politics. Continue to refine your interpersonal skills, as they will be an invaluable asset at your job. Doing so can also affect your future prospects, if you know how to highlight your interpersonal strengths when applying for work. Take the time to think things through in a calm and collected manner. Make sure to pick your battles. Look for win-win scenarios that lead to genuinely productive results for everyone involved. Remember that consistency is one of the great undervalued traits of incredible leadership. In other words, don’t try to copy the boisterous, off-the-cuff style of others; instead, lean on your own natural strengths. Rely on Relationships While extroverts may single-handedly take advantage of opportunities when they arise, introverts often must take a more measured, strategic approach to advancement in the workplace. Yes, at some point, you may have to go up against that annoyingly ambitious, blustery colleague for an assignment or promotion. However, it’s always smart for a self-aware introvert to set the stage beforehand through building meaningful, strategic office relationships. In other words, make sure to lean on the strength of select individual relationships within the office in order to create a base of allies that can support you and even stand up for you from time to time. Convey Your Communication Needs If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you already know that you’re an introvert. If that’s the case, don’t be afraid to let others in on the information, especially bosses. Introverts usually need a fairly quiet space in which to operate. If you’re meeting with a boss or co-worker in a situation that involves office politics, ask if the meeting can be held in a quieter space so you can focus. Grab a spare office or unused conference room. Don’t be afraid to speak up in little ways like these in order to set the stage for your own success. Networking While building a select group of strong relationships is important, general networking is also a critical part of office politics. While this may often be done in group settings, an introvert can accomplish quality networking by simply by taking the time to engage with superiors, co-workers, and employees one on one. Take them out for coffee, invite them to lunch, and look for opportunities that can open up a chance for you to network. This allows you to build relationships and let those you work with learn about you, your background, and your accomplishments. This is naturally much easier to do on your terms in a controlled scenario. However, it’s also important to make sure that you know where to draw the line with one-on-one relationships. While you want to succeed in genuine bridge building, you also want to ensure that your professional interactions remain firmly within reasonable, ethical bounds. Particularly when it comes to more withdrawn individuals, if a co-worker begins to show signs of crossing the line into sexual harassment or assault, make sure to take steps to report it immediately. “Bragging” There are few things more intimidating to an introvert than the idea of needing to talk themselves up. The call to self-promotion is hardly one that comes naturally. Regardless, it is absolutely required when you’re trying to prove that you’re worthy of being heard. Once again, while it’s important to practice talking about yourself in a positive light, there are multiple ways to lean on your own strengths in order to set yourself up in the best way possible on your terms. For instance, begin internally by taking the time to get comfortable with talking about your accomplishments. Set up mental reminders that these are simple facts and figures. Your performance speaks for itself, whether you talk about it or not. Therefore, you can treat discussing your accomplishments as a matter of fact. It’s little more than a natural conversation piece, so to speak. Rather than seeing it as an attempt to deceive others into liking you more, look at it as a simple communication of who you are to those who don’t fully know you. In addition, take the time to keep detailed records of your accomplishments and report to your superiors regularly, not just during performance reviews. This gives you a chance to genuinely explain what you’ve accomplished without being under the gun to “promote yourself” in a high-pressure scenario. In fact, this can often even be done with the written word via email or social media. Quietly Dominating the Office Hopefully, at this point, you’re aware of the different tools and abilities that introverts have at their disposal as they navigate through the turbulent waters of their office’s political arena. Rather than giving in to the temptation to simply mirror the extrovert-friendly tactics that typically win the day, look for opportunities to use your own quiet strengths in order to be heard. Whether it’s through individual networking, gently highlighting your accomplishments on a regular basis, or finding ways to accentuate your natural abilities, there are plenty of ways to quietly dominate your own office politics and work your way up the corporate ladder in the process. By Sam Bowman Sam  Bowman  is a freelance writer and introvert who enjoys getting to utilize the internet for the community without actually having to leave his house. In his spare time, he likes running, reading, and combining the two in a run to his local bookstore. Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!   Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

4 Ways to Make Arguments Stronger in Speeches

4 Ways to Make Arguments Stronger in Speeches A speech can be a very effective and personal way to share your opinion on a topic. You may be asked to deliver a speech in a humanities class, or if you are running for a leadership position in an extracurricular. Some jobs even require you to give speeches. Should you be presenting an argument a very common type of speech here are four ways to make your points stronger: 1. Be concise Remember that you are speaking, not writing. Complicated sentence structure and highly advanced or technical vocabulary may be valued in some types of writing, but they are not necessarily well received in speeches. Be specific with your examples avoid generalizations and blanket statements but be concise at the same time. Be aware of your minimum and maximum time limits, and lean toward the minimum if you can. Just like poetry, where every word is significant and carries weight, try cutting out as many words as possible while still retaining your meaning. In speeches, you will want to keep your audiences attention, and crafting a short argument may help you accomplish that aim.Knowinghow to give a presentationis another key element to a successful speech. 2. Know all sides of the issue Before writing your speech, make sure you do comprehensive research on your topic. If its a popular subject, keep up-to-date on whats happening, and tweak your speech accordingly, adding or taking out details as appropriate. Your speech may be stronger if your audience feels that youre sensitive to current events. In addition, consider addressing the opposing side and finding elements you agree with. All important topics are highly nuanced; if you recognize the complexities and acknowledge points from the opposing side, you may appear much more flexible and thoughtful. Your argument will consequently become stronger as well. 3. Know your audience Always modify the content of your speech to suit your audience. If your audience isnt familiar with your topic, you will need to include concise background information. If your audience does know the topic well, you can skip some of the background, and move to the heart of your argument more quickly. Be careful not to assume too much you do not want to risk losing your audience because they dont understand what youre talking about. Remember that your audience consists of people. Be genuine, and consider telling a personal story. This can help you build rapport with your audience. Know the different persuasive approaches, including ethos (appeals to ethics/morals), pathos (appeals to emotions), and logos (appeals to logic). You might focus on one, or you can employ a combination of the three. 4. Think about order and structure Your argument will be stronger if it is efficiently organized. Decide ahead of time how many points you will have, choosing a number that is manageable for your listeners. Use a list, outline, or flowchart to help you structure your thoughts. Look at all of your points to see how they might build on one another, as well as how they may flow best in a certain order. Your audience should always be able to follow your logic.The note organizing tipsmay help you organize your thoughts. After considering the above ways to make arguments stronger in speeches, practice aloud to yourself, with a friend, or with a public speaking tutor. You should be able to hear the awkward words or sentences, and to see what might need to be added or removed. Create notecards, prepare any visual aids, and get ready to blow your audience away!

How To Answer What Is Your Greatest Weakness - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How To Answer “What Is Your Greatest Weakness” - Introvert Whisperer How To Answer “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?” Last week, we helped you answer the interview question, ”  tell me about yourself,” so this week we wanted to tackle another classic question â€"  What do you think is your greatest weakness?  This is a hard question to answer, and according to  90%  of job seekers on  Big Interviewer, they have the same question for their  interview coach. The pressure of this question is real, especially when you are interviewing for a position you feel like is your dream job. The dilemma  that arises is that you don’t want to seem to like you can’t qualify for this position but on the flip side, you don’t want to look arrogant by saying you don’t have any weakness. As your  career sidekick,  we have a 2 -step process for you leverage this question to help you land your  dream job. Step 1: Choose Your  Weakness This is a pretty obvious step, but this process takes some time and self-reflection. It’s important that you prepare your answer prior to your interview. Trying to find your weakness on the spot will cause you to freeze and make you seem unprepared. Look through your past   Your main goal is to leave a solid  impression on your interviewer, and the only way to do that is to by being  genuine and authentic. Think of past jobs that you have had and where you feel like you could have improved in those positions? How does it relate to the job? Know what you are interviewing for and the skills that are needed for that position. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot by choosing a weakness that is needed for the position you want to fill. A perfect example is if you are interviewing for a sales position, don’t say that your biggest struggle is building relationships  with people. Make sure the weakness is fixable You want to make sure that your weakness can be something that can be improved on with your professional development. Remember this question isn’t supposed to stump you in an interview but highlight your skills as a team member and your ability  to grow. Keep It Brief After you have pinpointed your weakness now you need to just keep it short. Just like how you would have answered  â€œTell me about yourself”,  you need to organize your thoughts and remember the relevant information that your interviewer wants to know. Doing this will help you compile your weakness in a way that best highlights the next part of your answer. Step 2: Show that you’re working on it After you provide your answer, you need your follow up with how you are combating this weakness. leverage is a great time to show your  motivation and your willingness to grow in your professional development. For example: if you struggle  with time management the best solution  for you is staying organized, have a planner and make goals for the next day. This is the most important part of your whole answer because this is where you can leverage your weakness into a positive. Interviews are a difficult process and can be very stressful when you are not prepared. For more guidance on interviewing, check out our  interview prep guide  to make sure you have all of your bases covered way before the interview and you can land your dream job. This article was originally published on SkillGigs. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

The 5 Fastest Growing Careers for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / The 5 Fastest Growing Careers for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer The 5 Fastest Growing Careers for Introverts As an introvert, finding the right career can be a challenge. Matching your skillset with your personality type can be especially tough. Finding the right balance is what every introvert is looking for. When considering beginning your career or looking for a career change, a good place to start might be to look at what careers fit well with introverted personality types. Jobs that have a lot of independent work with minimal large team projects are usually a fit. With that in mind, the next step is to look at which introvert-friendly careers are on the rise. Statistician The fastest growing job field for introverts are statisticians. The field is projected to experience a 33 percent growth rate between 2016 and 2026, significantly higher than average. The statistician profession is one that is very attractive to introverts, in that the job involves a lot of independent research and creative problem-solving. Some of the duties that a statistician can expect to carry out include: Develop mathematical rules, theories, and concepts Decide what data is needed to address specific problems or issues Design surveys and experiments to collect data Develop statistical models to analyze data Interpret data and draw conclusions to solve problems and inform business decisions The job market for statisticians is highly competitive. Most statisticians pursue undergraduate degrees in fields such as mathematics, economics, computer science, or other related fields. Although some entry-level positions will consider candidates with a bachelor’s degree, most statistician positions require a master’s degree in statistics or a related field. Information Security Analysts Another job field that is currently experiencing a lot of growth is information security analysts. Employment of information security analysts is expected to grow by 28 percent by 2026, making it one of the most attractive careers on the job market. Information security analysts typically work independently or with a small team to prevent, assess, and fight cyber attacks. This makes it an attractive career for introverts. An information security analyst can expect to have the following responsibilities: Monitor an organization’s networks for security breaches Install and use software that protects sensitive information Compile reports documenting security breaches and the extent of damage caused Develop standards and best practices for security Simulate attacks to look for vulnerabilities in systems Though there is high demand for information security analysts, the field is expected to remain competitive. A master’s degree in cybersecurity or an MBA with a concentration in information systems can help distinguish a prospective candidate from the pack. Operations Research Analyst Introverts looking for careers that involve using quantitative methods to help organizations solve complex problems should consider becoming an operations research analyst. The field is expected to yield high growth; current projections estimate 27 percent growth by 2026. Similar to information security analysts, operations research analysts typically conduct independent research while sometimes working in small teams. The job duties one can expect as an operations research analyst include: Collect and organize information from databases, sales histories, customer feedback, etc. Gather information from stakeholders to help solve issues Analyze this information and determine what is relevant to the problem at hand Use statistical analysis, simulations, or predictive models to develop solutions to complex business issues Compile reports and other documents explaining findings and providing solutions for problems Though a bachelor’s degree is often the minimum requirement for an entry-level position, many employers prefer to hire candidates with master’s degrees, due to the high-level analysis that the job requires. There are not very many operations research degree programs, so candidates typically hold degrees in a related field such as engineering, analytics, or mathematics. Software Application Developer Demand for software application developers is expected to grow by 24 percent, making it one of the fastest growing careers across all industries. This huge growth can be largely attributed to the widespread adoption of mobile devices, which are in constant need of new app development. Software application developers usually spend their days writing code, or managing a small team of programmers that write code. The job function of a software application developer includes the following responsibilities: Understand user needs and design, test, and develop software to meet the needs of the user Create models and diagrams that show programmers the code needed for an application Design the individual pieces of the application and ensure that they will work together Ensure that the application functions properly through testing and maintenance Recommend software updates for customers’ existing programs Most software application developers are required to hold a bachelor’s degree in a field such as computer science or software engineering. Like most professions, a master’s degree can make a candidate more qualified. Keeping up to date with new tools and programming languages is essential for any software application developer. Actuary Actuaries typically work for insurance companies to analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty. The actuary job market is expected to grow by 22 percent by 2026. Though the field is relatively small, the fast growth rate is something to keep in mind for prospective actuaries. Introverts have often gravitated toward this career as the job entails a considerable amount of independent work. Actuaries can expect to have the following responsibilities: Compiling statistical data and other information for analysis Estimate the probability and cost of an event such as death, sickness, accident, or natural disaster Design, test, and administer insurance policies, investments, pensions, and other business strategies Produce charts, tables, and reports that explain proposals and calculations Explain findings to executives, government officials, and shareholders Because the field is relatively small, the market for actuaries is extremely competitive. Actuaries need a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, or another related field. Actuaries may also need to pursue professional certifications. Though there are many careers that would be a fit for introverts, these five careers offer professionals a lot of room for growth. The challenge will be matching your skillset to the right career. Author: Tim Ufer Tim currently works with university graduate programs as a community outreach manager. Tim has developed a passion for career advancement and professional development. Tim’s expertise includes career advice, higher education, and entrepreneurship. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What Is The Best Way To Learn Spanish For Complete Beginners

What Is The Best Way To Learn Spanish For Complete Beginners How to Learn Spanish for Beginners: Some Tips to Get Started ChaptersWhy Should You Learn Spanish?Different Ways to Learn Spanish for BeginnersGeneral Tips for How to Learn SpanishStarting out on your Spanish language learning experience can sometime seem a bit daunting. For a start, you'll need to know what are the best ways to learn Spanish, and how doing so will benefit you.You can take comfort from the fact that one major decision is already out of the way; you have decided to learn Spanish so you are no longer thinking about the pros and cons of each individual language.If you have absolutely no Spanish experience at all, then let us first begin by saying   ¡Bienvenidos!  Yes, welcome to the world of the Spanish language! You are probably dreaming of being fluent and conversing freely on the streets of Madrid. Whilst it is great to have objectives and goals, please bear in mind that at this stage it is baby steps which will ensure you keep progressing towards your goal.By learning Spanish, you will expand your horizons and enter into the second most spoken native language in the world, after Chinese. This means that any level of Spanish will be advantageous to you.Having a conversational level will allow you to learn the basic greetings and phrases to speak to locals whilst you are on holiday in Mexico. Having an intermediate level will allow you to move abroad to countries such as Spain, Argentina, Peru, and Chile, but to name a few.In this article, we will explain why, as a beginner, you should learn how to speak Spanish, how you should go about it, as well as giving you some tips to keep you on track, and make sure you keep progressing on your Spanish speaking journey.Spanish and English are two of the languages that dominate the AmericasThis means that if you speak Spanish as a second language, you can communicate with a native speaker in Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia, and Uruguay, showing that if you learn to speak Spanish, you will be opening up your travel prospects enormously.This is great news when you consid er that Chile was named number 1 travel destination for 2018 by the world's largest travel guide book publisher,  Lonely Planet. What's more, Sevilla in Spain, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Guanajuato in Mexico, all featured on their list of the top 10 cities to visit in 2018. Baja California in Mexico, Bolivia's capital, La Paz, and Lanzarote in Spain, were all included on their list of destinations offering the best value in 2018.Spanish speaking countries offer some of the most beautiful and amazing places to visit in the world, and this is without even considering the rich and distinct history and culture that each one can boast. Speaking Spanish is the key to unlocking the full potential of each destination, and doing so will enrich the authenticity of your experience as you will be able to interact with the locals which could take you to cafes and restaurants not frequented by tourists.Use your Spanish to explore the local cuisineYou are probably thinking that this all sounds g reat, but perhaps you are still worried about how difficult it is to study Spanish. You can be reassured that the Foreign Service Institute placed Spanish in the category of the easiest languages to learn for English speakers. This doesn't mean you should take your Spanish lessons lightly, but it does mean that with a little bit of dedication and personal motivation, you should see results and progress quicker than with languages such as Arabic, Russian, or Chinese.How Will Learning Spanish Benefit You?The sheer number of native Spanish speakers has converted the language into one that people want to learn to speak. As a result, it has taken on increased importance across the globe. Not only is it one of the official languages of the UN, it is also important in the world of business. This means that speaking Spanish can increase your employability immensely, as companies are constantly looking for Spanish speakers to help them do business in Latin America.Many Spanish speaking count ries have seen periods of increased economic growth at various periods over the last two decades, helped by economic agreements such as NAFTA and Mercosur.What's more, many Hispanic countries are seeing a rise in their middle classes, which means that, in general, people have more disposable income to spend on goods, holidays, and non-essential items. Western businesses are keen to tap into this growing market, but having a Spanish speaking workforce is crucial to their success.Outside of the economic benefits to you, you will also see a growth in personal development by studying the language of Cervantes. Just by learning a few words and phrases, Spanish speaking cultures will become more accessible to you. Aside from watching movies in Spanish to learn the language, you will be able to better appreciate the cultural meaning behind them. The same can be said of songs and books. After all, a translated book can never truly convey the exact same meaning as it does in the language in which it was written.There are loads of Spanish speaking films for you to appreciate!An increased cultural understanding will give you a different perspective on the world. You will understand things that happen around you better as you will gradually be able to apply a different way of thinking about them.Ultimately, learning a foreign language, such as Spanish, will open a variety of doors to you. These will be in your professional life through job opportunities, and in your personal life through opportunities to travel and an increased cultural awareness and understanding.Different Ways to Learn Spanish for BeginnersThere are plenty of different ways for beginners to pick up the Spanish language. You will see Spanish courses being advertised at a local language school, options for learning Spanish online, as well as private classes with a Spanish teacher.There is no correct way to study Spanish. In fact, the best way to learn Spanish will involve a variety of different approaches which you mix together. It would be advisable to find some Spanish classes. This will give your learning some structure, as well as offering the chance to interact with other people in the same position as you. Having a tutor there at the beginning is also a good idea for when you run in to difficulties and you need certain things clarifying.A Spanish teacher can give you guidance in your language learning journeyHowever, you should not just rely on Spanish lessons as your sole approach to learning the language. You should use other methods, such as using books for learning Spanish. Research which is the best book to help you begin learning Spanish before you rush out to buy one as you will need one that perfectly suits you.Learning Spanish with an app  is another good way that beginners can support their overall learning experience. Apps have the advantage of being on your smartphone or tablet, meaning that you can use them of the go. They are often also designed for complete begi nners and back you along the way as your develop your language skills in Spanish.You can work on things such as grammar and vocabulary, whilst other apps focus on verbs and their conjugation.As with any new language, you will naturally start by focusing on the basic Spanish that you'll need to hold an introductory conversation. This means that Spanish vocabulary is more important than Spanish grammar at the start. This is because vocabulary makes up the building blocks of how to construct a sentence.Making a correct sentence is more important at the beginning than knowing the grammar behind it. And by making complete and correct sentences, you will start to give to give basic meaning.So it is therefore essential that you commit the new vocabulary you learn (and there will be a lot!) to memory. Start by making lists of new Spanish words, and then try to memorize them. The first list that you will learn will more than likely be numbers, as learning a new language normally starts here. Counting in Spanish is one of the first things you will learnBut once you have the numbers assimilated, try with other lists of vocabulary. If you can, group words together. For example, you could have one list of colours, and another for physical features. These are the types of words that are useful when you start out learning Spanish.General Tips for How to Learn SpanishSpanish is a language that can be learnt by anyone. Obviously each student will require a different approach to learning the language. For example,  teaching Spanish to a dyslexic child  will require a different approach to that of an adult taking an intensive course. But in general, here are our tips for learning the Spanish language.FlashcardsFlashcards are a great way to learn vocabulary. You should write down one word per flashcard, with English translation on the other side. To begin with, just see if you can say way the English word is when you see the Spanish word. As you grow in confidence and your level i ncreases, see if you know the Spanish word when you see the English word.Another thing you could do which words in a similar way is to label everything that surrounds you. For example, in your kitchen you could put a little sign on the fridge that says la nevera, and one on the microwave that says el microondas.Practise Makes PerfectTake every available that you can to practice. If you have a Spanish speaking friend, practise what you learn in your classes with them. If they are a native speaker, they can help you with your pronunciation.As a new learner, you need to be practising as often as possible. This will help solidify what you learn in your classes, and through practising you will pick up the patterns in the sentence structure and grammar.Use Different Ways of Learning SpanishAs we have previously suggested, you should try to utilise as many different ways of learning Spanish as possible so that they compliment each other. This is especially important if you want to teach yo urself Spanish.There is a wealth of resources out there (websites, apps, books, videos etc) so make sure you use them all to practise and learn. Videos in particular are a great way to learn and improve because they deal in depth with specific topics, such as the one below which looks at phonetics.Patience is a VirtueDon't expect your fluency to be flawless after just one less. Language learning is a long process. There will be highs and lows. Some times you will think you are progressing really well, and at others you will think that you have ground to a halt.Don't lose faith in what you can achieve, just remember that ups and downs are natural. If you persevere, you will more than likely come out of the other side. If you do find yourself in a difficult moment, try going back and looking at previous notes and what you have learnt.Reinforcing things that you might already know well can instil the confidence that you need to make the breakthrough that you crave.Vocabulary is KingYou will never stop learning new vocabulary. This is often the case in your native language too. You often come across new words which you don't necessarily know what they mean. The building blocks of any language are the words, so try to learn a few new words each day. Once you have learnt them, try to use them in a sentence to reinforce that you know them.Spanish is a language which relies on around 1,000 common words which you will use day in day out, but once you reach this level, know that there is always more that you can learn.When you learn new words, right them down! Try to group them together so that you can see patterns and common themes in what you are trying to learn.Writing down key words is a good way of memorising what you learnImmersionThe best way to learn any language is through immersion. The more you surround yourself with a language, the more you will absorb. The best example of this is by going to spend an extended period of time in a Spanish speaking country. Ev en when you think that you aren't learning, you will be absorbing what you hear on the radio, or during a conversation in the supermarket.Even if you can't go abroad, listening to Spanish speaking music will help you tune your ear in to the Spanish pronunciation, even if you don't understand every thing that is being said.What a great way to prepare for your Spanish lessons London or Glasgow!

4 Chinese Recipes Made Easy

4 Chinese Recipes Made Easy Why Is Learning To Make Chinese Food Worth The Effort? ChaptersPopular Chinese Cooking Techniques For Chinese RecipesThe Essential Chinese Food  Ingredient ListPopular Items On The Chinese Food Menu.Easy Chinese Recipes You Can Make At HomeFaster Than Calling Your Local Chinese Food TakeawayFocused on minimal fuzz and maximum impact, all Chinese recipes incorporate seasonal and fresh vegetables, fish/meats, rice, and noodles. The result is perfectly balanced, flavourful, delicious, fragrant and wholesome meals, which keep you coming back for more, no matter how many times you have eaten it.It is for this reason that the popularity of Chinese food has spread rapidly worldwide. With the Chinese takeaway being the ethnic staple on the high streets of cities internationally.So when you pick up the phone, to call your local Chinese restaurant, with your stomach rumbling and preparing for the joys of the meal to follow, it is unlikely that you think about when the dish was invented.Much of China's cuisine has been cultivated over thousands of years and has now created a melting pot of cooking styles, techniques, and flavours.Steaming; which is considered to be an extremely healthy way to cook is used in many recipes such as Dim Sum.Boiling; which is one of the simplest ways to cook creates dishes such as Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce.Deep frying; is the key to tasty and crispy textures and creates dishes like spring rolls stuffed with veggies or fried noodles.Roasted meats; done over a hot fire or in the oven reveal crispy skin and soft succulent meat beneath such as the famous Peking duck.Fast Chinese food ready in minutes. Photo source Unsplash.The Essential Chinese Food  Ingredient ListChinese cuisine is full of a diverse collection of unique flavours, which blend together and enhance each other to create the delicious Chinese recipes that we have come to know and love. When eating Chinese food you may not always recognise the different tastes but some of the essential ingredients are:Essential Chinese Ingredient s:Dark Soy sauce, which has a slightly sweeter and less salty taste than other kinds of soy sauce. Made from soybeans.Fresh Ginger adds heat to your dish, tenderises meat and deodorises fish.Chilli sauce, adds a spicy kick to your meal.Toasted sesame oil is the key flavour of many dishes most commonly drizzled sparingly to garnish a dish.Black Vinegar which has a colour close to that of soy sauce but it has a woody, malty and pungent flavour.Oyster sauce is a popular Chinese sauce that has unique fragrant flavour enhancing properties, used often in marinades.Chinese Five-spice powder has a powerful flavour.Monosodium glutamate a natural flavour enhancer.Ingredients for Chinese cookingThe rich flavours in Chinese food recipes which were once a mystery, difficult to buy and intimidating to cook, are no longer restricted to just to the Chinese restaurant, takeout or kitchen. You can now buy previously top-secret ingredients at your local supermarket. Chinese pre-prepared meals and off the shelf products are fast and make it easy to recreate the takeaway experience at home.A favourite on the Chinese food Menu. Photo source Pixabay.My parents were much more experimental. They would order lots of new things from the menu like flavourful black bean duck, roasted crab, Chinese fried rice and there were always cashews, veggies like bok choy, cabbage, broccoli, chestnuts and bamboo shoots. Not to mention the different kinds of sticky rice, sweet and savoury.The taste of the red glistening sweet and sour sauce covering Chinese, makes my mouth water even now, it could perhaps be my favourite Chinese sauce. I always took hours to eat my saucy chicken, and taste every last drop. 4The interesting thing is that when I went to my friends or families house’s, I noticed that when they ordered Chinese food, they always ordered similar items to my family.Chinese restaurants have filled our bellies with delicious Chinese food for centuries. Photo source Pixabay.There was always t he fried rice dish like egg or chicken fried rice, the fried noodle dish like prawn chow mein, the starter like spring rolls, the saucy dish like sweet and sour pork or prawns, and who can forget the thick chicken and corn soup. My mouth is watering again just thinking about it.Learn more thanks to  cooking courses London.Chinese menus are full of delicious selections. The mix of diverse ingredients being turned into any number of new dishes has secured the flavourful Chinese food menu, as a firm favourite on the tables of people worldwide.Easy Chinese Recipes You Can Make At HomeEven if you are not a confident cook, these recipes are easy quick and taste great. All of the ingredients will be available at your local supermarket or your local Asian supermarket and after you have made it once you will be able to gain confidence to make it time and time again. You will be the talking point of every dinner party when people taste your authentic Chinese food flavours and want to know you r 'secret'.If you enjoy these recipes and want to try even more Chinese food recipes, visit the BBC, They offer Chinese recipes  that you can try at home.Recipe for Chinese Chicken And Sweetcorn Soup1/2 a boiled or steamed chicken breast1 can of  green giant sweetcorn1 beaten egg with a pinch of salt300ml water1/4 cup of cornstarchSalt, pepper and/or MSG to tasteOptional: Garnish with Spring onions (scallions) and toasted sesame oilOptional: Add some rice noodles to have more of a noodle soupCooking Time: Less than 10 minutesServes 2 peopleCooking Instructions for Chicken And Sweetcorn SoupAdd a tablespoon of oil to a hot wok or frying pan over a high heat.The chicken should be stir fried but not browned.Add the water to make a broth.Add the sweetcorn and the seasoning then Boil for 3-5 minutes.Add the cornstarch very slowly until it becomes a loose thick paste.  Stir well.Add the egg bit by bit, stirring infrequently until egg ribbons are formed.Remove from the fire.Top with sprin g onions (scallions) and drizzle a few drops of sesame oil on top.You will now enjoy one of the most satisfying textured Chinese soups. If you want to be creative you could also use this as a Chinese sauce for veggies or rice.Simple Chinese recipe ready in less than 15 minutes. Photo source Pixabay.Recipe for Chicken Chow Mein (Fried Noodles)400g cooked egg noodles or rice noodles1/2 small white onionChop a vegetable or two (optional)1 boiled or steamed chicken breast1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon of MSG (or 1 small spoon of light soy sauce)A hand full of bean sproutsVegetable oilChilli flakes to garnishCooking Time: Less than 30 minutesServes 2 peopleCooking Instructions for  Chicken Chow MeinAdd oil to a hot wok or frying pan over a high heat.When you have hot oil add the onion and make sure it is stir fried well.Add the chicken. Fry for 2-3 minutes.Add the salt and the noodles. Fry for a few minutes until loose.Add soy sauce or MSG and the bean sprout s.Garnish with spring onions.Another easy chicken dish, these chicken noodles will have you wanting seconds so double the recipe so you don’t miss out.How can you resist trying to make Chinese food recipes. Photo source Pixabay.Recipe for Sweet and Sour  Chinese PorkPork Marinade - Prepare the Pork 1 day before250 grams of your favourite cut of pork1 tbsp of dark soy sauce1/4 tsp of salt1/2 tsp of baking powderFor the stir-fried ingredients2 Eggs1/2 cup of plain flour1 tbsp of garlic1 cup of your chosen vegetable2 cups of a colourful bell pepper2 cups of pineappleSweet and sour Chinese Sauce1/4 cup of ketchup1/4 cup of water1/4 cup of sugar1/4 cup of vinegar2 tbsp of plum sauce1 tbsp of cornstarchPinch of salt or to tasteIf you like it spicy you can add some chilliCooking Time: Less than 10 minutesServes 2 peopleTip: If you want to replace the Pork and make sweet and sour chicken you need to follow the same process.Cooking Instructions for Sweet and Sour Chinese PorkCut the pork i nto small cubes and add to a bowl.Add 1 tbsp soy sauce. 1/4 tsp of salt. 1/4 tsp of baking soda.Mix and let it marinade overnight to make it tender.Whisk 2 eggs. Dip each piece of tender pork cube into the egg and then coat it with flour, do this twice.Heat the oil in the deep fryer (preferable) Wok or Frying pan to 350 Degrees until you have very hot oil.Deep fry your pork twice.Remove from the fire.Add all of the ingredients for the sauce to a pan.Cook on medium heat whilst stirring.Once it is bubbling, turn the heat to low, until it feels sticky.Remove from the fire.Heat up your wok (Frying Pan).Add 1 tbsp of oil, and 1 tbsp of garlic.Add the bell peppers and pineapple. Stir for 3 minutes.Add the pork and the sauce.Mix well and remove from the fire.Your Chinese pork dish is servedA popular Chinese pork recipe is sweet and sour Pork. Photo source Pixabay.Recipe for Vegetarian Egg Stir Fried Rice250g of Leftover riceDark Soy SauceYour choice of chopped vegetableAn EggTofu (optional )Salt, pepper and/or MSG to tasteCooking Time: Less than 10 minutesServes 2 peopleCooking Instructions for Egg Stir Fried RiceAdd some dark soy sauce to your day old rice.Mix very well until all of the leftover rice is coated.Whisk your egg.Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to a hot wok (frying pan) over a high heat.The pan needs to be extremely hot for best results.Add the egg and scramble it quickly. Add your rice and chosen veggies.Must be stir fried energetically for 5 minutes, make sure all of the rice gets heated by moving it actively in the pan.Remove from the fire.A flavourful Chinese dishPerfectly balanced Chinese food - Egg fried rice. Photo source Pixabay.Faster Than Calling Your Local Chinese Food TakeawayMany of the Chinese dishes and recipes can be made in less than 20 minutes, so it is perfect for a treat after a hard day at work  because it is so easy. Or why not surprise your family or friends, no matter what the occasion. Have a look around your local supermarket for some of the ingredients listed above, experiment with texture â€" crispy, crunchy, Chinese sauce, dried ingredients, toss in nuts like peanuts and cashews, go with what you find, taste everything and enjoy the journey.All you need is a love for food, confidence that anything you make will be great and the assurance that you will get better with practice.  With this mindset, you cannot fail to create delicious and authentic better than takeout Chinese recipes.For a truly authentic experience eat your meal with chopsticks.It’s time for a feastEnjoy!Learn more about Asian Cooking with our guide.Panorama of Asian cuisine  The best Asian food blogs  Easy Asian recipes  Asian Cooking in a Wok  Why is Asian cooking different to Western cooking?

How to Choose a Creative College

How to Choose a Creative College The following piece was written by Elaina Loveland. Elaina is an admissions consultant for students pursuing creative degrees. She has two published books Creative Colleges: A Guide for Student Actors, Artists, Dancers, Musicians, and Writers, and Creative Careers: Paths for Aspiring Actors, Artists, Dancers, Musicians, and Writers. If you want to major in the arts and earn a degree in Art, Drama, Dance, Music, or Creative Writing, it might take some research to find the right program for you. Unlike degrees that are offered at nearly every college and university (think History or Biology), creative programs often vary greatly by institution. Here are 10 questions you need to ask to narrow down your search.1. How much time do you want to spend pursuing your passion? If you want to live and breathe your creative area of interest 80% of the time, youll be most interested in BFA programs. If youd rather spend less time than that practicing your art, but still want to major in it and leave room for electives that interest you and perhaps do a double major or have a minor outside of your creative field, consider BA or BS programs instead.2. Is an audition, art portfolio, or creative writing portfolio required for admission? Many of the most competitive programs in the arts have an arts-based requirement like an audition, art portfolio, or creative writing portfolio for admission to the program. You will need to investigate the programs you are interested in to find out their requirements. Its important to follow guidelines carefully because each school has different requirements.3. How much can you perform, exhibit art, or publish? Take the time to find out exactly what kinds of performing, exhibiting, or publishing opportunities are available to you in each program you are considering. Find out if you can participate fully in these opportunities during your freshman year or if you have to wait until you are an upperclassman. Learn how many opportunities there are per semester and if there are any opportunities off-campus that could bolster your rsum.4. Who are your teachers? Unlike faculty in other disciplines, as an artist, you will be working more closely with program faculty throughout your college career rather than taking just one or two classes with them and moving on like students in other disciplines frequently do. The best faculty have extensive experience in the field and are often still practicing artists. Do they have industry contacts? Do they have advanced education like an MFA (master of fine arts degree)?5. Are there master classes with guest artists or other industry guests? The most competitive programs usually offer master classes with renowned artists, actors, choreographers, musicians, and writers. Some programs also offer specialized symposiums that focus on topics like careers in the arts or nights with industry guests that can offer advice to upcoming graduates. Bringing in talent from the outside to help students with their understanding of their discipline can be a valuable asset to an arts program.6. What are the facilities like? Do the programs facilities look professional? You are going to be spending a lot of time in classrooms, in rehearsal spaces, in studios, and on stage, and you want to make sure those spaces exhibit a professional atmosphere that can reflect the success of its students and graduates. Access is also something to consideryou will want to make sure that rehearsal spaces are accessible beyond normal business hoursan artists work is never done. If you need to practice at 3:00 p.m. on a Saturday, you are going to want to make sure that you will be able to do it.7. Who are the alumni? Find out where the alumni of the program are now in their careers. Does one of them have your dream job? They should. You want to attend a program where you know that it is capable of teaching you what you need to know to be successful in your career afterward. Looking at the success of alumni is a good way of measuring this.8. Are scholarships available? While not all institutions have artistic scholarships, it is an extra bonus if you can find a program that meets your criteria and can offer you the possibility of a scholarship. Most scholarship money for the arts is available from the institution itself so dont overlook scholarship possibilities. If you are academically talented, you may also be eligible for academic merit scholarships, so be sure to investigate those scholarships as well. Leave no corner unturned. After graduation, if you have to take out loans, you will have to repay them, so make sure that factoring the cost of your degree is considered carefully.9. What kind of opportunities will you have for internships and part-time work? Working while in school requires time management, but its possible. Making contacts off campus can be helpful in seeking internships later in your college career. If you do take the plunge to get a part-time job in the real world, it may be beneficial to find a job related to your field of study. For example, you could work in an art gallery or museum, work at a local professional theatre company, teach dance to children at a local dance studio, work at a local symphony or opera company, or work at a local publishing company or newspaper. 10. What kind of support is there for finding a job after graduating? You should check out the support that the college will provide for you to find a job. The college career office at your school most likely has a library of books that can help you delve further into career possibilities. Your alumni office may have a list of people working in certain fields. Many make themselves available for informational interviews. Faculty members in your department may also have personal contacts with whom you can speak about career choices. Ask questions to find out what resources the colleges you are considering offer. For more information, visit www.creativecollegesandcareers.com and www.elainaloveland.com.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

English Writing Exercise Christmas Edition

English Writing Exercise Christmas Edition One of my favorite ways to test students ability to express themselves in English is to ask them to tell a story based on photos or a short video clip. Another way to do this is have them write the story that goes with the photos or video.Here is a funny scene from the Christmas classic National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. See if you can tell the story of what happens in the video. There are also a few listening questions below the video. Enjoy! If youre interested, were offering special Christmas pricing until December 25. Click here to learn more.I told you, you have ____ ____ plugs __ ___ outlet.Lets __ __ and finish our dessert.If ___ ____ had 9 lives, he just ___ ___ all.If you ____ ____ Clark, Id like to see if I can fumigate this here chair.