Find Sewing Jobs as a Teacher

Find Sewing Jobs as a Teacher How to Find Sewing Jobs ChaptersTeaching Sewing Classes as Part of a GroupTeaching Sewing at a Fashion SchoolTeaching Sewing in Private TutorialsTeaching Sewing Classes OnlineSewing Tutorial Definitions“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” - Rachel ZoeSinger sewing machines are doing well. In recent years, the brand has seen an increase in sales thanks to more people getting into arts and crafts and wanting to learn a new skill.Not that many people know how to use a sewing machine, do stitches, or even thread a needle.  That’s why more and more people are deciding to get sewing tutorials and learn more about embroidery, customising clothes, knitting, and sewing, of course. It's always easier to find work in growing industries as there are more job openings.If you’re fashion designer, why not offer your services to the newbies wanting to make their own clothes, sew on a button, fix the hole in their jeans, or look for sewing jobs in schools and colleges?If you're stitching clot hes full time in a warehouse or factory, why not look for a job posting, change your career, and start networking so that you can find jobs in haute couture?Before you start your job search, make sure that you're skilled and qualified!In this article, we're going to show you what a recruiter might be searching for and how you can improve your career with work at a fashion school or how to get a new job doing what you love!they just need to keep an eye open for job opportunities and vacancies, be a diligent worker and good sewer, be good at advertising their tutorials, and, one of the most important things when entering the world of private tutorials, be good with people.

The Loog Guitar Revolution Guitar Lessons for Kids Will Never be the Same

The Loog Guitar Revolution Guitar Lessons for Kids Will Never be the Same ksurmacewicz As a music educator and performer, I’m always interested in learning about new products and tools that can help students succeed.   When I discovered the Loog Guitar, a 3-string interchangeable guitar designed with children in mind, I immediately took notice. I was excited to find out more about the Loog because I took guitar lessons when I was 8 years old, and it proved to be easier said than done. The guitar was added to the list of instruments that were uncomfortable for my tiny hands (which I thought would grow eventually, but never did â€" to this day, I still struggle to reach the octave on the piano!). I became discouraged and quit after about 6 months, and eventually took up the ukulele many years later â€" which has been much easier for me to maneuver but even now, the ¾ size guitar is problematic for me. Many of our TakeLessons instructors prefer not to teach guitar to young children for this very reason.  Now, with the Loog Guitar in the picture, instead of teachers having to focus on finding alternate fingerings and keeping a frustrated student focused on the difficult task of mastering an adult-sized instrument, they can focus on teaching the child to make music!   And isn’t that really what it’s all about? I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to interview Rafael Atijas, the creator of the Loog Guitar, who provided insight into how his concept came about and what the benefits will be for children who want to learn the guitar. ______________________________________________________________________________________ When did you realize that there was a need for a guitar made especially for kids? I saw my 6 year old niece trying to make music with one of those $30 guitars when I thought There has to be a better way. It was then that I realized that kids’ guitars are usually just cheap, scaled-downed replicas of classical guitars.   They are not really designed with kids’ needs, comfort or even safety in mind. Where does your knowledge of guitars come from? I studied guitar and was in different bands during high school and college (as was almost every other kid I knew). I was very much into rock music and at some point I just fell in love with guitars especially vintage electric guitars. What age group do you feel would benefit the most from the Loog Guitar? Time will tell, but I think kids ages 6 to 9 will be the ones that will get the most out of the Loog Guitar, since this is the guitar that allows them to build chords without the need to form complicated shapes with their little hands. Where did you get the idea to call it the “Loog?” It is my subtle but very meaningful homage to Andrew Loog Oldham, the first manager and producer of The Rolling Stones. I always found him to be a fascinating character (Im a rock nerd, as you can see) and back when I had a band, I had a chance to meet him and he was super kind to us. What types of learning materials are you planning on coming out with to assist with the learning process? We plan to include a manual on how to play with three strings, and we will also offer video tutorials on our website. What does this product mean for kids who have an interest in learning guitar? Kids will have a friendlier instrument that will stimulate them to make music and get creative with it. What I like about the Loog Guitar is that it works whether you already know how to play guitar or not. And that’s what I hope it means to kids who have an interest in learning guitar: a fun and easy way to play music. Anything else you wish to add? I am truly humbled by the response the Loog Guitar project got on Kickstarter (the website that helped raise the money to launch the product), and one of the things I like the most is that so many people from the education field have reached out to me and had very positive things to say about the Loog Guitar. I know TakeLessons.com reaches a lot of music teachers, so I want to use this opportunity to extend my thanks to all of them. ______________________________________________________________________________________ There you have it, folks.   I’m personally thrilled that there is now a product out there that will make learning guitar simpler for young children.   For teachers, what have you experienced in teaching guitar to young children? Parents and students, what are some of the challenges that you’ve faced learning guitar yourself or watching your child learn guitar?   I’d love to hear your feedback, so please leave comments below if you feel so inclined!   Now if only I could travel back in time and learn to play guitar on the Loog, maybe I would have stuck with it! To learn more, visit www.loogguitar.com or check out the Loog Guitar in action below: The Loog Guitar in Action from Loog Guitars on Vimeo. Monet Payne is the Community Manager for TakeLessons.com. She is dedicated to providing the latest on music education and technology to those who seek it. By night, Monet is a professional singing actress, starring in musicals, operas, and everything in between. Monet has her Bachelors in Music, with a concentration in Vocal Performance, and enjoys teaching voice, involving herself as Vocal Director in several productions. She proudly co-founded a non-profit organization for Voice Education and her next venture will be to start her own theater production company. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

A Guide to Common Russian Verbs

A Guide to Common Russian Verbs Verbs in Russian with Tenses: Common Verbs and How to Use Them ChaptersA Few Russian Verb BasicsThe Russian Verb for “to be”Learn Russian Verbs of MotionSome Other Useful Verbs For Studying RussianWhen learning Russian grammar and vocabulary, verbs play an important role. Together with nouns and their pronoun forms, they make up the core of a sentence. Of course, you will need to learn the greetings, cardinal numbers, days of the week and interrogative pronouns, but unless you want to speak in grunts and single Russian words, learning Russian verbs is a must!Now, as much as we would like to give you a list of all the Russian verbs out there, you would probably be better served in that by buying a Russian-English dictionary or downloading a Russian dictionary app.Instead, here are some of the most common verbs used in Russian phrases to help you get around on your next trip to Moscow or St. Peterburg.Discover how you can easily learn Russian London here.several places, used ??????. So as long as you are going somewhere on your own two feet, t his is the verb you should use.However, as soon as you are travelling or taking a form of transportation, you should use ????? for unidirectional motion and ?????? for multidirectional motion. The mode of transportation is irrelevant - whether it is a car, bus or segway, is the verb for going somewhere with it.There are some fun Russian games you can play to help you give directions in Russian.Where to go? Russian verbs of movement can help. Photo credit: Hiro Otake on VisualHunt.comSome Other Useful Verbs For Studying RussianWhen taking Russian language courses, you might find some of these verbs useful. They are among the most common words in spoken Russian. Be careful of the spelling when learning your Russian vocabulary - try learning with flashcards, but instead of just saying the word out loud, write it down as well. That way you will practice the pronunciation of your Russian words and phrases and the Cyrillic alphabet at the same time.You can also use quizzes and games to le arn Russian language skills.Remember to learn the perfective/imperfective pair for the proper Russian verb conjugation! You might also want to say the verb conjugation in some of the tenses out loud when you study, just to make sure you conjugate irregular verbs right and understand how the imperative mood works. This site has a table with the conjugation of frequent Russian verbs.MeaningImperfectivePerfectiveTo speak???????????????To know???????????To like or want?????????????To see?????????????To stand or stand up??????????????To think???????????????To speak??????????????????To give??????????To work??????????????????To love??????????????To answer or reply????????????????To write??????????????To remember????????????????To sit??????????????To eat?????????To read???????????????To have??????????

What is it Like to Attend Ohio University

What is it Like to Attend Ohio University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Kedrin is an Atlanta tutor and a 2013 graduate of Ohio University where he studied communications, English, and theater. He currently specializes in math tutoring, English tutoring, and numerous other areas. See what he had to say about his time at Ohio University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Kedrin: The campus setting can be overwhelming at first. Its the first time that you are on your own in a sense. Activity is vast and extensive; its almost as if you dont know exactly what to engage in first. However, its all about catering to your intereststhe campus setting has something for every individual. You will find an eclectic selection of people on campus; its the equivalent of getting your first taste of the real world. It can be both exciting and intimidating; however, everything will be just fine. Campus is both urban and safe. Its like being in a hip, upbeat city with your peers where there is time for fun and academics. Theres always something to do whether it be a gathering, social event or an event hosted by the school itself. Security is always on duty at all hours of the day and night. If you would like someone to escort you back to your dorm late at night, there are security officials on hand for that. Most freshmen are not allowed to have cars; this is where bus es become useful transportation. In addition, you can catch campus buses to/from your classes as well (freshmen or not). You dont need a car/bike on campus, but most upperclassmen like to have one when its allowed. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at Ohio University? Kedrin: Professors, academic advisers and teaching assistants are very accessible. The most common way to contact these officials would be via email. Most of these individuals are usually very efficient when it comes to responding promptly. In addition, you can always set up appointments to visit with professors, academic advisers and teaching assistants in your spare time. I would recommend this as well. Its always nice to be able to communicate in-person with staff on campus. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Kedrin: Dorm life is something that I think all students should experience. Its not the most glamorous way of living, but its also one that you will always remember. The rooms are usually much smaller than your room at home. I wouldnt suggest bringing everything you own. In addition, you are likely to have a roommate or roommates (unless you request a single room). Dining options usually fall under the category of a meal plan. A meal plan consists of a specific amount that you are given to spend each week on food. This amount is loaded onto a card weekly that you just swipe for purchases. There are small grocery stores on campus, dining halls, food courts, etc. all for food options. There are also always fast food restaurants that you can eat at, but you will have to spend your own money at those places. Meal plans usually dont apply. The location of dormitories is central to everything you will need as a student. In fact, its so central that you will be able to walk to everywhere yo u need to be (class, events, to eat, etc.). Some walks may be longer than others, but its never too bad! The opportunity to socialize with other students is all around you! Dorm life is the perfect opportunity for this. You naturally and organically get to know the people that stay in the same residence hall as you. There are activities and social gatherings specific to your residence hall, which also allows you to socialize with other students. Also, getting involved on campus is a great way to connect with students. I would recommend joining a club or organization that you are interested in. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported at Ohio University? Kedrin: I would say the major or program that is best represented/supported would be anything in the School of Business. Business is a typical and popular area of study for a lot of students. A degree in business opens the door for a range of opportunities in the workforce. Also, communications is well represented and supported at universities (for the same reasons). I studied journalism with a focus in broadcast. Ive always been interested in entertainment and television. I also had minors in Theater and English. I felt these areas of studies reflected my interests. I didnt want to choose another area of study just for the sake of security after college. I recommend studying what interests you and the opportunities will come. The university did a fabulous job of supporting my area of study. The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism is one of the most noted in the country. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Kedrin: It wasnt difficult for me to meet people as a freshman. Im a people person and can get along with almost anyone. I think it really depends on the person and his or her personality. Its important to keep an open mind because you will meet several people that are different than you are (which makes the college experience what it is). Greek life is very present on campus. For me, it didnt influence my social life one way or another. At the end of the day, they are students and people just like everyone else. Greek life has just always been something that a certain group of people cater to. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Kedrin: The Career Center is a resource I would suggest all students take advantage of while it is accessible to them. A college campus prepares you for life after college. It would only make sense that resources relating to careers, employment, etc. be reachable for students. There are career fairs and events that several reputable companies come to for the purpose of recruiting students for potential employment. Its a great thing given that students get to see what awaits them post graduation (and options that they have). The Career Center is beneficial for helping you narrow down what you may be interested in as a career. A lot of times students go through their undergraduate years unsure. Career resources on campus help you get rid of some of this uncertainty. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Kedrin: Libraries, the student union and dorm lounges are good for a number of things. Studying, organization meetings, social gatherings, or just to hang out; these are all things that take place in these particular places on campus. As a student, these areas are always easily accessible to you. However, depending on where you are in the semester (or the time of day), the issue of over-crowding could be active. This usually occurs during finals week. A lot of studying takes place during this time. You will find that libraries are full of students when finals are about to take place. Its all part of the college experience. Describe the surrounding town at Ohio University. Kedrin: The surrounding area is a small town. The university is actually the main attraction in Athens, Ohio. However, all of your normal establishments are still there (Walmart, Kroger, McDonalds, a movie theater, bowling alley, etc.). The university itself is what makes Athens fun, and a town to always remember. Athens doesnt have a downtown or city area. The uptown area on campus actually serves as the substitute for what one would consider downtown. Individuals who do not attend the university would sometimes make their way to uptown for entertainment. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Kedrin: The student body is very large at Ohio University. Students love the university given that its like its own little town where memories are created. I was pleased with the typical class size. It really helped create the experience of what its like to be a college student in a college classroom (while also being part of the general student body). If the class size had been too small, it would take away from the experience. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Kedrin: One class I loved the most was a theater/acting class that I took. I am a lover of the arts and entertainment. I enjoyed this class so much that sometimes it didnt even feel like a real class. We were required to go see plays, movies and things relating to the arts. Ill never forget The Addams Family Musical came to campus, and it was our assignment to go see the show and write a review. How cool is that?! Check out Kedrin's tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

The Best Books for History Revision

The Best Books for History Revision Smash those A Levels and GCSEs with these History Revision Guide. ChaptersRevise Right with the Exam Boards’ History TextbooksPerfect Your Knowledge with Access to HistoryThe Classic Books for GCSE Revision: CGP HistoryRely on Cambridge to Prepare for Your International GCSEs and A LevelsReading Outside the Box with Teenage-Friendly History TextsAcademic Journals: Not Quite History Revision BooksConclusion.Nothing beats a good book. And when you are revising, especially, a range of intelligent, comprehensive, and relevant history textbooks are indispensable. Because whilst the new technologies offered by the internet are hugely helpful â€" with some excellent apps and podcasts designed to aid your studying process â€" all knowledge is contained in a book.But the key words in that second sentence above â€" ‘intelligent, comprehensive, and relevant’ â€" are key, as it’s important to know the best, most helpful, and most interesting texts that you are going to take with you into the examination season. Because revising wrongly can be as bad as not revising at all.So, on that thought, we have compiled a list of some of the best history texts available for GCSE and A Level revision. We have books that will introduce you to the central themes and ideas in your syllabus, texts that you will certainly find in your classroom, and tomes that will encourage you to read outside of the curriculum.At whichever stage you are in your secondary school history journey â€" whether you’re preparing for an International Baccalaureate (IB) or an iGCSE â€" you’ll find the texts here that you need,  on modern history, early modern Britain, or world history from across the centuries. Let’s get started. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1 st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsRevise Right with the Exam Boards’ History TextbooksLet’s start with the textbooks designed by the examination boards themselves â€" the examiner company responsible for writing, marking, and setting the specification for your exams. These companies contribute to the production of textbooks for schools and, as you can imagine, they know the content that needs to be included.Learning your subjects from these books is the perfect way to study the basics of your course â€" as you know that they are going to have precisely the correct framework required by your exam.Get studying - with your own pile of history books!AQA AS and A Level LearningAs one of the main exam boards for A Level and GCSE, AQA produces a lot of history revision books itself â€" with the help of Oxford and Cambridge University Presses.The AQA A Level courses start from the eleventh century and the board offers a choice of topics to engage with up until the present day â€" from the rise and power of Hitler to the American and Chinese twentieth centuries, from the religious rebellion in the sixteenth century to revolution and civil war in the seventeenth.They are written in such a way as to make them engaging and they are often crammed full of images, tasks for homework, and primary source exercises. This makes the experience of reading them a little livelier than most other textbooks. And, approval by the exam boards means that you’ll know that you are on the right track.AQA, of course, have GCSE textbooks too â€" on courses including Health and the People and Elizabethan England. Study for Edexcel with Pearson’s A Level History SeriesThe educational publisher, Pearson, provides the bulk of the textbooks for Edexcel â€" another major UK examination b oard. They are great for pictorial analysis and for representations of the events that you are studying â€" as we all know simple text alone can be rather dry. But the images along with the clear and precise timelines â€" with concise and memorable annotations â€" make this a really readable series.Like the AQA series, Edexcel stretches across a huge time-span, engaging with medieval history and movements for civil rights in the modern day. Each module has its own textbook â€" which is developed under the supervision of academics at universities.The GCSE series is just as popular â€" with an incredibly popular Key Stage 4 course in the Tudors â€" and Pearson writes the textbooks for this too. Note that you’ll need to buy the book for teachers if you want to find the answers to the questions in the book for students.OCR’s Range of Revision ResourcesHodder Education offer the resources you’ll need for an OCR history GCSE, whichever modular programme you are studying for â€" Expl aining the Modern World or the Schools History Project.These texts are immensely readable and, in taking important quotations and perspectives from historians, are authoritative and informative, giving you a broad selection of viewpoints and ideas. They are very strong on conceptual clarity and explanation, and they provide you with exactly the information you will need to know for your exams.Put away that laptop and get your books out - if you really want to crack history revision.Perfect Your Knowledge with Access to HistoryThe Access to History series, also by Hodder Education, is a hugely successful range of textbooks exploring all the A Level history topics â€" and ultimately getting students across the country to achieve their desired grades.The books in the series are usually written by secondary education teachers, by historians, and by members of the Royal Historical Society â€" so they are authoritative, deep in their analysis, but properly accessible and even enjoyable to read!Whilst these texts cover the content of courses by Edexcel, OCR, and AQA, they also cover other history syllabuses, including the IB.The Classic Books for GCSE Revision: CGP HistoryEvery student â€" whether they are studying maths, geography, or English Literature â€" should know about CGP revision guides. The chances are that you actually do know about them already.Recognised and used across the country for their fun, interactive strategies for the learner â€" from quizzes and essay questions to lesson plans â€" they are designed to teach and to test you with as little pain as possible. The series are split into two with one with the information to be studied and the other with the quizzes.You should recognise the logo with the little man holding the CGP book, yes. But beyond that, they have everything to get you through your GCSE exams in historical subjects from the industrial revolution to imperialism. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tu tors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsRely on Cambridge to Prepare for Your International GCSEs and A LevelsFor those across the world studying the Cambridge International A Levels, you’ll probably know already that Cambridge University Press offers the best-published material for guidance through the course.These courses are designed for those applying for university and the textbooks provide the rigorous preparation that you would expect. The coursebooks on International History 1871-1945, European History 1789-1917 , or History of the USA 1840-1941 walk you through the topics straightforwardly, engagingly, and in all the detail that you would ever need.Reading Outside the Box with Teenage-Friendly History TextsWhat’s incredibly important about studying history at school is that you shouldn’t depend entirely on your textbooks. Whilst they are crucial in providing the organisation and perspective required, it cannot be recommended enough that you read around the subject you are studying â€" and that you read in general!So, just as a taster, here’s a handful of books which might prove handy if you are hoping to get a taste of the history world outside of the course textbook. It’s well worth doing â€" and it will give your grades a boost for sure.John Guy’s Guides to Tudor EnglandIf you’re the sort of person who reads the words ‘Cambridge academic’ and thinks they all must be stuffy and boring, John Guy is here to prove you wrong.If you study the Tudor modules at GCSE or A-Level yo u are sure to come across him at some point, as his two books Tudor England (1998) and The Tudor Monarchy (1997) are heavy-duty, super-readable studies of one of the most fascinating dynasties in English royalty.If you don’t believe that it is indeed readable, be assured that this Guy is a broadcaster too â€" so he knows how to avoid the heavy academic lingo. Oh, and his biography of Mary Queen of Scots has just been made into a film.Robert Service on Soviet RussiaFor those studying the history of Russia in the late-nineteenth and twentieth centuries, you should probably look at Robert Service’s career-long investigation into the subject.He’s written biographies of Lenin, Stalin, and Trotsky, as well as histories of twentieth-century, Tsarist, and post-Soviet Russia. And whilst the books are pretty long, they are perfect introductions to the world of Communist Russia.Robert Service's book on Stalin is an incomparable guide to the communist dictator.Mary Beard’s Ancient World You’ve probably heard of this historian already â€" as, these days, she is probably the most famous one around. Mary Beard works on the ancient world, meaning the Romans and their contemporaries, and she has written plenty of excellent books alongside her frequent appearances on TV.Maybe the best ones are Classics: A Very Short Introduction and the new SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome. For her impeccable reputation and her incredibly no-fuss writing style, she is a must-read for history students.Academic Journals: Not Quite History Revision BooksTo end on a similar note, you can find shorter texts to read to support your secondary school studies in academic journals. Again, these needn’t sound intimidating, as they are hugely helpful resources â€" and some academic writing can actually be quite fun!JStor is the place to start, which is something like a database for academic articles. Search for the subject you are studying and it will return hundreds of different articles. This o ne’s the way to get ahead of your schoolmates.Conclusion.For more information on history revision - from the best history revision websites to the best history resources per se - check out our further articles in the series!

Asian Cooking with a Wok

Asian Cooking with a Wok Why Should You Use a Wok? ChaptersThe Advantages of Cooking with a Wok5 Ways to Cook with a WokPreheating Your WokHot Wok, Cold OilThree Recipes for the WokWhich Wok Should I Buy?Whether it’s to cook tasty Japanese food, Thai food, Vietnamese food, or some Chinese food, the wok should be an essential part of your kitchen setup.Do you want to impress your friends with a tasty stir-fry of rice noodles, coconut milk, lemongrass, and tofu?Get a wok to ensure that you get the most out of every ingredient, be it meat, fish, or veggies when cooking Asian recipes!After reading this article, you’ll want to use a wok every day for not just authentic Eastern cuisine, but also Western, which you'll understand is quite different.Why not get cooking tutorials? 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 les son 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 tutorsThe Advantages of Cooking with a WokA wok is a Chinese invention (although it’s used all over the world). The word “wok” just means “an instrument used for cooking”. In China, woks have been used for over 2,000 years by farmers who would usually only have one, as that was all they could afford.When cooking with a wok, you won't really need as much oil. (Source: Stevepb)There are three main advantages to using a wok:Fast: food is cooked quickly thanks to the shape of the wok.Economic: the quicker the food cooks, the less energy you’ll use cooking them.Healthy: you don’t need a lot of oil when cooking with a wok. This means that your food will h ave fewer calories. Furthermore, food that’s cooked quickly retains more of its nutritional value, colour, and flavour.A wok is also easy to maintain. You can just rinse it with warm water. Another advantage of using very little oil or grease.Obviously, a wok is great for cooking Asian food, but it can also be used for plenty of other recipes, too. It’s a good investment and you can find them online, in homeware stores, and in Asian markets.Find out more about cooking classes around the UK.5 Ways to Cook with a WokOne of the wok’s biggest advantages is the different ways you can cook using it.There's nothing stopping you from cooking your usual food in the wok, too! (Source: Hans)Sautéing: This is when you cook cut food quickly for one or two minutes while constantly stirring and mixing the food with a wooden spatula. Make sure that the wok is hot before adding your food so that it cooks quickly. You can easily sauté vegetables, as well as beef and onions, before adding soy sauce or sweet and sour sauce once cooked.Frying: In this case, you’re going to have to add a lot of oil. You can use a wok to fry food, too. Of course, this means that it won’t be as healthy. You just have to boil the oil while making sure the wok is only half full so that you don’t burn it. You can then individually place your ingredients, spring rolls, or prawn crackers into the wok so that they don’t stick to each other and come out crunchy. You need to make sure that your food is dry so that the wok doesn’t spit. This is great for Chinese and Vietnamese dishes.Stewing: You can make dishes with sauces like Peking duck or caramelised pork which take longer to cook. You’ll need, you’ll need to cook at a low heat with the lid on while stirring occasionally so that it doesn’t stick to the bottom.Marinating: you can also leave raw meat in the wok for a few hours or overnight before cooking it. You pair it with a marinade of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, or hone y, for example. Don’t forget to store your raw meat in the fridge.Steaming: In order to steam, you’ll need two things: a bamboo steamer and a grill. Put the food you want to steam, like dumplings, seafood, meat, or fish, in the bamboo steamer. Put the bamboo steamer on the grill atop the wok and add water to the wok, ensuring that the water doesn’t reach the basket. Cover and cook. Be careful when removing the food as the steamer will be really hot.Whether you’re cooking healthy steamed food or frying everything, a wok can be really useful!Don't forget that if you're being healthy, you can steam your food, too! (Source: Pietrozj)You should check out this recipe for steamed crystal dumplings on one of favourite Asian food blogs, too. 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 Teac her £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 tutorsPreheating Your WokFood is often served quickly in Asian restaurants due to how hot woks are.How long does it take to preheat a wok?Until it passes the water test.Not familiar with the water test?Splash a bit of water into your wok! If the water evaporates instantly, your wok is ready to go!Find out more about cooking tutorials around the UK.Hot Wok, Cold OilOnce your wok is hot, add your cold oil.What type of oil?That’s a good question.You’ll need to use oil with high smoke point.  Your oil shouldn’t smoke at all when cooking.  Peanut oil is recommended over vegetable oil since it has a higher smoke point. Olive oil and butter can’ t be used as they’ll reach their smoke point under the high cooking temperature of the wok.Here's a useful article  on the smoke points of different oils.Three Recipes for the WokTo get you started using your wok, what’s better than a few Chinese recipes?Keep in mind that this is just a taster of what you can do with your wok. You can make chicken curry, Cantonese rice, or even chicken noodle soup, and as you get better, move on to more elaborate and complicated Asian dishes.To start, here’s a pretty easy recipe for stir fried shrimp with cashew nuts.To serve two, you’ll need:200g of raw prawns40g of cashew nuts (these are famous in traditional Chinese medicine for healing your kidneys, since they are similar in shape)1 slice of ginger1 slim stem of spring onion1 carrotFor the marinade:1 teaspoon of Shaoxing rice wine1 egg white2 teaspoons of potato starchFor the sauce:1 teaspoon of soy sauce1 teaspoon of Shaoxing wine1/2 teaspoons of potato starchA pinch of saltA bit of wat erPreparation:For the marinade:lightly beat the eggs while making sure that they don’t form peaks.Wet the potato starch with the water.Add the egg white.Add the wine and season with salt before beating again.Put the prawns into the mix.For the sauce:Mix all the ingredients together with a bit of water and stir.To cook:Cut the carrot and the spring onion into slices and dice the ginger. Pour a bit of oil into the wok and add the cashew nuts. Let them cook gently until golden.Add a bit of oil and then add the prawns. Sauté for 2 minutes. Don’t mix them but stir the wok lightly.Take the prawns out once cooked.Add the ginger, carrot, and spring onion for two minutes. Add the prawns again and cook for another 2 minutes.Add the sauce once thickened and then add the cashew nuts.Serve hot.You can prepare some delicious prawns using your new wok. (Source: Sharonang)The second recipe we’ve got for you is a napa cabbage stew with tofu.To serve two, you’ll need the following:Half a nap a cabbage250g block of tofu1 tablespoon of oil1 tablespoon of soy sauce3-4 slices of ginger1 small onionSalt and pepperPreparation:Cut the cabbage into big pieces and separate the green from the white. The white will be used for cooking.Cut the tofu into large cubesCook the onion and the sliced ginger in a bit of oil for a minute. Add the cabbage white and cook for 3-4 minutes before adding the soy sauce.Add the green cabbage leaves and mix. Once the leaves are tender, add a glass of water a mix well.Place the pieces of tofu on the cabbage without mixing. After ten minutes, mix gently, season with salt and pepper, and let the whole thing stew for another 10 minutes.Ready to serve!Since the last recipe is steamed pork dumplings with rice, it’s not suitable for vegetarians.Here are the ingredients you’ll need for 2 or 3 people:300g of pork ribsA packet of rice cakes for making the dumplingsFor the marinade:3-4 slices of ginger2 garlic cloves1 table spoon of black soy bean soup1 ta blespoon of Shaoxing wine2 teaspoons of soy sauceA pinch of sugarFor the sauce:1 tablespoon of soy sauce1 teaspoon of sugar1 teaspoon of soy saucePreparation:Cut the pork ribs between the bones.Finely slice the ginger and crush the garlic with a garlic press.Mix all the ingredients for the marinade with the pork and let it stand for at least 20 minutes.Put the pork ribs on the rice cakes and place everything in a bamboo steamer on top of a grill. Half fill your wok with water and place the grill and steamer on top and put the lid on the steamer.Steam for an hour at a medium heat.Heat up the sauce and pour over the ribs and rice cakes once cooked.Enjoy!You can find more recipes like this on a number of Chinese cooking blogs. You’ll find loads of different ways to use your wok and cook using a variety of different techniques.In short:“Don’t eat too much fat, sugar, or salt”. With a wok, you needn’t worry too much about this as you can make a variety of balanced meals.You loc k in the flavour and nutritional value of your food: be it peppers, bamboo shoots, coriander, basil, soy sprouts, or spice.A wok can be used to cook in a variety of different ways: sautéing, stewing, marinating, frying, or steaming. You can cook almost anything you can imagine, from a beef stir-fry to banana fritters.Get your credit cards ready! A decent wok can be between £25 and £50.Find out more about cooking tutorials around the UK.Which Wok Should I Buy?A good wok is one of the most versatile pans you’ll find in the kitchen.In addition to being a good choice for sautéing, you can also use it for frying, steaming, and stewing.It’s the most common pan used for cooking Asian cuisine. However, not all woks are created equal.You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to sizes, shapes, materials, and handles.Here are a few things to look for when picking a wok.The Different MaterialsYou’ll have to choose between:Steel woksCast iron woksStainless steel woksNon-stick woksThe Ma nufacturing ProcessSome woks are made from a circular piece of carbon steel before being pressed over a mould. They are cheap, but they’re also completely smooth and therefore more fragile. Spun woks are made on a tower, giving them their distinct shape (concentric circles).More Useful InformationTraditional woks have the shape of a deep bowl so that they can be placed into a circular hole over a flame.The best compromise is a wok with a flat base and gently sloping sides.This means you’ll have a lot of space for heating meats and vegetables at high temperatures while still having a lot of space to work with when it comes to mixing everything together.Here are some woks that come 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 Copper Effect WokMarks and Spencer30cmYesNon-stick £29.5075Find out more about Asian cookery.Check if there is a cooking class london you can enrol on.

The Ultimate Guide to English Adjectives

The Ultimate Guide to English Adjectives English Adjectives are an essential part of English, and today we are going to give you the ultimate guide on how to use them effectively. Adjectives are used to describe things, and they come in many forms. First of all,    take a  look at the following  useful list which categorizes some commonly used adjectives. As you read, try to think of  some  example  sentences.Adjectives of Quantity• full•  empty• some• few• half• several• many• every• many• numerous• aplenty• galoreThat bus has many people inside.Adjectives of Appearance•  beautiful• ugly• stunning• hideous• handsome• old• young• ancient• tall• short• clean• dirty• slim• chubby• longThe pyramids in Egypt are ancient.Adjectives of Color• red• orange• purple• green•  yellow• orange• blue• brown• dark green• yellowish• metallic  â€¢ transparent• silverSome jellyfish are transparent.Adjectives of Opinion• good• bad• funny• boring• good• b etter• best• wonderful• splendid• mediocre• useful• useless• evil• lovelyThe football match was very boring.Adjectives of Size• small• little• tiny• tall• mountainous• huge• minute• gigantic• long• short• same as• colossal• massiveDinosaurs were colossal animals.Shape• round• square• triangular• oval• cylindrical• oblong• zigzag• spherical• crooked• distorted• steep• straight• deepThe hill was incredibly steep.Origin• American  â€¢French  â€¢Spanish• English• Italian• Dutch •lunar  â€¢oceanic  â€¢polar  â€¢equatorial  â€¢northern• southernWilliam Shakespeare was an English poet.Material• glass  â€¢wooden• cloth• concrete• fabric• leather• ceramic• china• steel• cotton• silicon• plasticThe room has a concrete floor.Distance• short• long• far• nearby• close• faraway• neighboring• distant• remote• far-flung• around• outlying• outermostThe mountains are far fro m here.Temperature• hot• cold  â€¢boiling  â€¢freezing• frigid• sweltering• chilly• scalding• burning• cool• sizzling• wintry• frostyThe weather is scalding  today.Time•early  â€¢late• morning• afternoon• evening• night• first• last• initial• modern• old-fashioned• quick• rapid• belatedI woke up early for my morning coffee.Personality• happy• sad• excited• scared• funny• boring• cheerful• grumpy• lonely• brave• lazy• witty• mysterious• jealousHe is a very grumpy old man.Tastesweet• sour• acidic• bitter• salty• delicious• repulsive• tasty• yummy• appetizing• scrumptious• spicy• tastelessThe noodles were absolutely scrumptious.Touch• hard• soft• rough• smooth• grainy• coarse• bumpy• lumpy• polished• glossy• irregular• sticky• damp• cuddlySandpaper feels very rough.Age• young• old• baby• child• childish• antique• youthful• elderly• mature• adolescent• infantile• bygone• recentThe goat was very young.What is an Adjective?Hopefully that list  helped you understand what an adjective is. An adjective is a word that describes or changes the noun (a  person, place or thing), pronoun or other adjectives.  Most adjectives can be used in front of a noun; They have a  beautiful  house or after a link verb such as  be, look, feel; Their house is  beautiful.Order of AdjectivesNow that you know what an adjective is, along with many examples of the different types of adjectives to use, the next important step is to order your adjectives. If you have a sentence that has more than two adjectives, then you need to place your adjectives in a particular order. Otherwise, your sentence will sound really strange. Take a look at this helpful video to show you how to order your adjective sentences:Can you rewrite  these sentences in the correct order? Share your answers with us in the comments section!The couch is (classic, canvas, t an, small, new).Her new apartment is (cool, blue, small, cozy, inexpensive).The painting is (American, dark, oil, interesting, expensive).My new car is a (1970s, blue, awesome, fast) Mustang.Seattle is a (fun, rainy, quiet, hip) city.Adjectives With -ED or -INGThe next stage in our ultimate guide is using adjectives with -ed and -ing endings. A lot of our students get confused by English adjectives with -ed and -ing. First, because they look like verbs in the present simple and the continuous tense. Second, because they’re not sure how the -ing and -ed affect  the meaning of the word. Watch the video below to understand the difference between the two adjective types.Remember, -ed ending adjectives often describe emotions. They tell us how people feel about something: He was  surprised  to see the monkey riding a horse. On the other hand,  -ing ending adjectives describe the thing that caused the emotion. For example,  The film was absolutely  terrifying. Be careful in particular w ith these adjectives because they can be used in both forms:amusedamusingannoyedannoyingconfusedconfusingdisappointeddisappointingexcitedexcitingexhaustedexhaustingfrightenedfrighteningsatisfiedsatisfyingshockedshockingAdjective ExerciseNow try these exercises by selecting either the -ing or -ed form of the adjective.  Remember to write your answers in the comments section, and well respond!My English classes via Skype are very (interested/interesting).The students are never (bored/boring) in our classes.I was (irritated/irritating) that I had to wait 2 weeks to see the movie.He was (embarrassed/embarrassing) that he hadn’t studied his English adjectives.The news that the economy is (improved/improving) was good news to everyone.We are (excited/exciting) that our new video is finished.I think that animation can be very (entertained/entertaining).We plan on having a (relaxed/relaxing) weekend.This month’s results are (encouraged/encouraging).I hope this lesson wasn’t (confused /confusing) for you.Adjectives as NounsNow that we have covered some of the basics of adjective use, we are going to look at something a little more difficult. Using adjectives as nouns  can be very confusing for those learning English. If we use the article the in front of an adjective, it changes meaning into a  plural  noun. Look at these examples:The good always win in moviesThe unemployed are losing hope.We should do something to help the homeless.As you can see, using adjectives as nouns in this form allows you to talk about groups of people.  For example, poor people = the poor. We don’t often want to make generalizations of groups of people saying they all have similar qualities, however it is useful and efficient when discussing political and social policies. Take a look at this video below which explains the use of adjectives as nouns.Are you ready to try? Change the following adjectives to nouns using the. Dont forget to share your responses with us in the comments sect ion!Example:    Old people and young people need to come together on the issue of public transportation.Answer:  The old and the young need to come together on the issue of public transportation.1. Educated people are running the country. 2. Rich people have a lot of advantages over poor people. 3. Old people are encouraged to get the flu shot. 4. Homeless men, women, and children are advised to find shelter in churches or public shelters for the next few night. 5. Unemployed people should move to find work. 6. Living people must respect the wishes of the dead.Adjectives as AdverbsNext up,  we are going to look at turning adjectives into adverbs. As we mentioned earlier, adjectives change the meaning of nouns, pronouns or other adjectives. Above, we saw  how we can change adjectives into nouns. Now we are going to look at how to change adjectives into adverbs.Adverbs (adjective  +  ly)  are used to modify  the verb, adjectives or other adverbs. Look below for  some examples:Modify verbs:  She spoke confidently when she pitched her idea to the team.Modify adjectives: Apartments in Amsterdam are outrageously expensive.Modify other adverbs: She spoke extremely confidently.The most common irregular adverbs are  well, fast and hard. Make sure you dont add an -ly to these words!Check out this video for some extra help:I hope that helped your understanding of this concept. Below are some sentences with a choice of adverbs to modify the sentence. Can you  choose the correct adverb? As always, write your answers in the comment section so we can give you some feedback.1. “How was the test?” “Not good, it was (absolutely/really) difficult.”2. “Are you hungry?” “Yes. I’m (absolutely/very) starving.”3. “Did you like the movie?” “No. I thought is was (totally/very) awful.”4. “Did you have a good vacation?” “Yes. It was (really/very) fantastic.”5.“Do you like talking about business?” “Yes. I think it is (very/absolutely) interesting.â €Practice with AdjectivesHopefully by now you are starting to have a better understanding of what adverbs are and how we can change adjectives into adverbs. Lets practice. Listen to this video below to hear some examples of adjectives and adverbs. Then complete the sentences below with the correct adverb or adjective.Most foods we cook require _______  attention to cooking temperature and time in order to get ____ results.There’s one food that’s __________  _________.Like their higher protein content and ______  flavor, they are ______ in another way.Mushrooms have a _____  texture over a ____ range of cooking times and temperatures.Steamed them in a basket in a _____ Dutch oven.The tenderloin, portobello and zucchini required 186, 199 and 239 grams of force  ____________ to be compressed 3mm.The tasters noted that all of these samples were  ______.This picture changed ____________  after five more minutes of steaming.Tasters found the tenderloin tough and leathery, and the zuc chini was ______  ____.The portobello on the other hand remained _______  _________.Eventually turning a ________  293% tougher, while the zucchini decreased in firmness by 83% and turned _____ and _____________.Tasters still found the mushrooms to be ________ ______.Chitin is ____ ____-______.This ______ structure allows us to _______  sauté mushrooms for just a few minutes, or roast them for the better part of an hour.All the while, achieving ____-_______, _________ ______  specimens.Comparative AdjectivesComparative adjectives are used to compare 2 objects. The key to understanding comparative adjectives is to count how many syllables (the number of sounds in a word) are in the adjective. For example,  fast has one syllable, handsome has 2 syllables and  dangerous  has 3 syllables.For one syllable adjectives, we simply add  -er to the end of the adjective.Example:  Laura is  taller  than Sarah.If the  adjective ends in a consonant + vowel + consonant spelling, (for example, fat or big), then you need to double the final consonant before adding -er.Example:  That hippo is  fatter than the crocodile.For two or more syllable adjectives, simply use the form  more + adjective + than.  Example: London is  more expensive than Bangkok.For two  syllable adjective ends in -y, change the -y to -i and add -er.Example:  He is  happier  than Eric.Memorize this useful chart below so you can remember the comparative form.1 syllableadjective + -erShe is faster than Mary.He is  bigger  than me.2 + syllablesmore + adjectiveJack is more handsome than Jerry.  2 syllables ending in -ydrop -y from adjective +-ierThat joke was funnier than mine.Superlative AdjectivesSuperlative adjectives are used when we are talking about  3 or more objects, where we want to show what is  the upper or lower limit of something. The rules to use for superlative adjectives are very similar to comparative adjectives.For one syllable adjectives, add -est, and again, if the word ends in vowel-consona nt, double the consonant.That is the  tallest  building in the whole city.Today is the  hottest  day of the year.For two or more syllable adjectives, use the form  the most +  adjective.This is  the most beautiful painting in the whole museum.For two syllable adjectives that end in -y,  change the  -y  to -i and add -est.That is the  funniest    joke I have ever heard.Heres another helpful chart to help you remember the rules:1 syllablethe + adjective + add -estThats the tallest building in New York.He is the  biggest  guy in the class.2+ syllablesthe most + adjectiveEmma  is the most interesting woman Ive ever met.2 syllables ending in -ydrop -y from adjective +-iestPeter is the funniest of all my friends.As always in English, there are some irregulars, so be careful! The most common irregular adjectives are shown below.AdjectiveComparativeSuperlativegoodbetterbestbadworseworstlittlelessleastmuchmoremostfarfurther / fartherfurthest / farthestNow that you have learned all of these   rules, have a go at a quick quiz below. Think of an adjective which could fit into the sentence, and then change it to the correct comparative or superlative form. Dont forget to leave your responses in the comments section, and well respond with corrections or feedback!The blue car is ____________ than the red car.This is the most _____________ t-shirt in the shop.Antarctica is the ___________ place on Earth.Michael Jordan is the ____________ basketball player of all time.Albert Einstein was ________ _________________ __________ me.That was the _________ ____________ movie I have ever seen!I live in the __________  city/town/village in my country.We hope that enjoyed todays this Ultimate Guide to Adjectives. You should now be an English adjective master! Remember to write any comments or answers to questions that you have in the comment section so we can write back to you. If you want to put your newfound knowledge  into practice, then sign up here today for a trial class with LOI English.

11 Plus Preparation and Dates for 2019

11 Plus Preparation and Dates for 2019 With the upcoming 11 Plus exams fast approaching, it can be difficult to know how best to prepare. We've put together this handy blog with some date guidelines for the 2019 11 Plus exam season.   What is the 11 Plus Exam? The 11 Plus Exam is an entrance exam for schools generally taken in September at the beginning of Year 6. The content of the 11 Plus exam tests: English, maths, verbal reasoning and non- verbal reasoning. The exams may sometimes test the same subjects, e.g. two verbal reasoning tests or in other instances include a verbal and a non-verbal reasoning test. Key 11 Plus exam Dates:     Please note: This is a guide to all dates which can vary depending on individual schools.   April 2019: Grammar schools will open their registration with a deadline for parents to register their child in June or July for the 11 Plus exam. September 2019: The majority of 11 Plus exams will take place during the first two weeks of September. October 2019: In mid-October the results will be posted for 11 Plus 2019. March 2020: School allocations are confirmed. Results:  If things don't quite work out as planned, there is an option for parents submit an appeal to challenge the decision. There is also an option to apply for a  later selection, at 12 Plus or 13 Plus. If you need a tutor for the upcoming exam season, you can choose from 1000s of tutors on Tutorfair by clicking here.