Where to Learn Japanese at University

Where to Learn Japanese at University At Which Universities Can You Learn Japanese? Chapters How to Learn Japanese at University Which Colleges Can You Study Japanese At?The Best Way to Learn Japanese On Your Own: The Other Options Study Japanese with Private TutorialsThe language and culture in Japan is something to really be admired. With around 127 million native speakers in Japan, any language skills that you have will take you a long way. Obviously the more fluent that you are, the further you will go.There are numerous ways to learn Japanese, but in order to stand out more and to take your language learning beyond just a conversational level, you should look at taking a Japanese course at university.There are so many options nowadays for those wanting to go on to higher education.Have you considered Japanese learning ?Would you like to learn how to speak Nihongo in order to live and work in Japan with Japanese people?If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re in luck! We're going to talk about learning Japanese at university in this very article! NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors How to Learn Japanese at UniversityIf you already have a good level, either through studying Japanese with a private tutor, or at school, or a local language institute,  studying a degree in Japanese probably already seems like a good idea.Although you can study Japanese at middle school, it is far from common. However, the number of people taking language courses in Japanese at university is on the rise.Stud ying Japanese can really further your career. (Source: pixabay.com)In theory, a degree will take you four years of study. You can start immediately after you finish high school, finish four years later, and then  you could even consider continuing your studies by doing a Master’s Degree in Japanese. Having a conversation in Tokyo will seem a lot less daunting after reaching such a level!Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though. It’s probably too early to start talking about a Master’s before you've even learned any Japanese words or phrases.As we mentioned earlier, studying Japanese is becoming more and more popular. But it is not just the language that students find enticing. Japanese culture and history are fascinating subjects in their own right, but they are both closely intertwined. Therefore, as a beginner, expect your language lessons to not only teach you how to speak Japanese, but a little bit about the traditions of the land of the rising sun.And if you want to lea rn Japanese, but not study for a degree in it, you can take optional modules at a lot of universities around the world. With such an option, you don’t need to master kanji or the kana (both hiragana and katakana). You can learn some Japanese vocabulary, such as greeting and how to introduce yourself.If you’re just starting out and aren't sure how to learn Japanese, it’s probably a good idea to take a Japanese for beginners class as soon as you can, though. That way, even if you decide to study Japanese culture and history, you’ll have a grounding in Japanese grammar and vocabulary which will help you understand the other classes better.The library might become the most important place for you to visit. (Source: pixabay.com)While we said that you don’t need to have studied Japanese before you go to university, if your high school offers it and you’re interested in studying it at undergraduate level, or in going to Japan, you should definitely choose it and make sure you'v e mastered the essential Japanese phrases and verbs before you go! This also means that you might even be able to skip some of the more basic Japanese lessons and opt directly to study Japanese at a more advanced level.In summary, if you’re going to university and want to use Japanese in your future career, choosing Japanese classes is a no-brainer! Which Colleges Can You Study Japanese At?Would you like to study Japanese in order to live and work in Japan later on in life? Finding the right university shouldn’t be too difficult if you’re a hard-working student with good grades.With so many colleges offering Japanese classes, you'll be spoiled for choice. (Source: pixabay.com)There are plenty of different universities around the world where you can study Japanese. These include universities across Europe, North America, and Australasia. This doesn't mean that every university will offer Japanese courses, but you should be able to find various options if you live in bigger town s and cities.Therefore, we advise that you contact the university where you would like to study to find out what options they offer for doing a degree in Japanese, or the optional modules that they might be able to offer you if you don't want to commit such a process.If you are looking for ways to study Japanese that are fun and lighthearted, did you know that you could also study Japanese by using video games?The Best Way to Learn Japanese On Your Own: The Other OptionsYou've probably asked yourself if  Japanese is difficult to learn?  The answer is probably not as hard as you think, and therefore you shouldn't let this put you off. If you’re not going to college or have already been, you can always study Japanese elsewhere.  There are plenty of night classes where people get together to study Japanese in a more relaxed environment than a college class.Furthermore, these are the kinds of classes where you learn to speak Japanese, rather than the focus being on how to read and wri te. You'll probably start of with some greetings and expressions, speaking conversational Japanese, and getting to grips with the Japanese writing system: the Japanese kanji characters (which came from Chinese characters) and the kana (hiragana and katakana), which are sort of like the Japanese alphabet.While the Japanese writing system isn't simple, don't forget that there are plenty of websites where you can learn Japanese online that will help you study reading and writing in Japanese if you're struggling.Later on in your Japanese course as you work through your textbook, you'll start coming across less common Japanese characters, specialized words and phrases, and some of the more interesting aspects of Japanese grammar (have you ever heard of a particle?).These classes are often cheaper than getting a college degree. After all, if you’ve already been to college, it would be silly to go back just to learn Japanese when you can learn it for less money! They're also a good way t o meet new people, too.While you can't get a degree, it's possible to study for the JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) in order to prove your level in the language and there are also plenty of textbooks you can buy to help you. However, it's worth checking whether or not the jobs you'd like to do require this as the exam doesn't include a speaking elements and only focuses on reading, writing, and listening.If you’re wondering where you can find such classes, you should look for a a local  Japanese Language Institute.  There are plenty of these around the world and most of them have an “education” section on their website where you can see how they’re teaching people in your area about Japanese history and culture as well as teaching people how to speak the language.Thanks to the internet, not only can you find a local language school, but you can also take one of a number of online courses, too. There are also apps, YouTube videos, and Massive Open Online Courses (MO OCs) for you to sink your teeth into.  It should be noted that, just like everything else on the Internet, the quality of these resources can vary wildly.We recommend that you do a lot of research before making any decision as it can be demoralizing to constantly be changing study resources and courses. Choose a good resource, stick to it, and practice regularly. Study Japanese with Private TutorialsYou may not know this, but you can study Japanese with a private tutor at home, without even having to leave the house. Typing Japanese lessons near me into Google is a good starting point to find a local tutor.This can be beneficial if you have a hectic schedule at university, and you can't find a space in your timetable to take Japanese classes.You can call a private Japanese tutor who’ll be happy to come to your house to teach you Japanese on a regular basis. This way, you can learn Japanese at a time that suits you which makes it the most flexible way to learn.Your Japanese tutoria ls could include:Learning the Japanese writing systems (kanji, hiragana, katakana)Studying Japanese grammarPracticing Japanese pronunciation and speaking about a variety of different topicsLearning to count in JapaneseStudying Japanese particles (you should look forward to learning these!)Using multimedia resources (movies, manga, music, etc.) to improve your comprehension.No matter what age you are, what your level is, or where you are in the world, you should be able to find a private tutor who can come to your house or provide private tutorials over webcam.You can always boost your Japanese with help from a private tutor. (Source: negativespace.co)In just a few clicks, you’ll be able to browse the profiles of several potential tutors. Don’t forget that the private tutors on Superprof tend to offer free tutoring for the first hour so that you can see whether or not they’re the right fit for you.  You should clearly explain why you want to learn Japanese and what your objecti ves are so that they can plan your lessons accordingly.A good tutor will be able to effortlessly adapt their methods in order to get the most out of the time they spend teaching you.  This is the very best thing about hiring a private tutor. You’ll learn at your pace, not the pace of the rest of the class. This means they can go as fast or slow as they need to as well as tailor their classes to your strengths and weaknesses.With all the tutors on Superprof, you should be able to find the perfect tutor for you. This means you can still continue studying Japanese even if your university doesn’t offer classes.If your university does offer Japanese classes, tutorials are a great way to do some extra studying before a big test or finals.And no matter where you live - you can learn Japanese online through Skype even if there isn't a tutor living in your town!Whether you choose to study Japanese at university or enlist the help of a private tutor, you should now know exactly where to g o and what you need to do.Of course, you don't have to go to university to learn japanese. You can take classes anywhere: japanese classes  london, Glasgow, Leeds, etc...!

Where Can You Study Ecology

Where Can You Study Ecology Learning About Ecology in the World and the Classroom ChaptersWhat is Ecology?Environmental StudiesBest Places to Study EcologyCareers in Environmental StudiesOver the course of its history as a discipline, ecology has taken on many different names â€" including bioecology, bionomics, and environmental biology â€" all of which are correct. While it can often be confusing to keep track of the many different disciplines relating to the study of living organisms, due to the diversity of specializations and branches within the biological sciences, understanding the definition of ecology can actually be quite simple.Ecology is involved in not just in delineating the structures and functions of living things, but also their environments. This means that ecologists can be found in everything from sustainable agriculture, restoration of natural habitats, dealing with microbial investigations â€" basically anything dealing with the natural world.Observational sciences have been around since the birth of civilization MahimaBiology Teacher 5.00 ( 10) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlishaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaifBiology Teacher 5.00 (9) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FrankBiology Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HeavenliBiology Teacher £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SiobhanBiology Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MackenzieBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is Ecology?Chances are, if you’re studying ecology, whether at the undergraduate or masters level, you may already have your own definition of what exactly ecology is and what the kind of social and political implications the discipline holds. However, it is important to always take a look at the history of interaction of this particular discipline with the various branches within biological studies.The evolutio n of the discipline of ecology starts with the growing interest in both biodiversity and the concept of understanding the organism in its habitat or ecosystem. Understanding everything from terrestrial and biotic organisms to the sustainability of one natural resource or more have become central topics and themes within the field of ecology.While the history of the discipline can be traced back to ancient times, the concept of modelling an ecological system or environmental impact is a relatively new idea and has become extremely important in both understanding and ameliorating environmental conditions.The term ecology actually comes from the Greek word “oikos,” which translates to home or household. This signifies a significant change in terms of the implications of ecology. Historically, humans have depended on ecology in order to survive. The relationship between organisms and their environment â€" living and nonliving â€" formed the basis of understanding harvests, seasonal cycles, and basic medicinal practices.Giving this practice a word related to home, centuries later in the 19th century, meant a realization that ecology was closely tied to human behaviour and life. This means that ecology can penetrate even economies, relating to things such as energy budgets and wildlife conservation efforts. This is also why ecology as a discipline is closely related to governments, as the measurement and maintenance of parks, lakes, and urban communities are often a direct responsibility of the municipalities and states they’re in. If you’re interested in learning more about these types of biological sciences, or simply want to study for ecology specifically, keep reading.Look up for biology tutors near me on Google.Environmental StudiesAs mentioned previously, ecology, like many areas of study that make up biology, can take on many forms due to its interdisciplinary nature. What this means is that there are many different areas of study that you might be fo cusing on at one particular moment, and while there are many approaches to studying ecology, it can be extremely helpful to start by defining the different branches within ecology. From genetics and cellular development to evolutionary aspects of science, ecology penetrates many different fields â€" here, we give some examples and definitions to help you out.Ecology and EvolutionOne of the most important moments in the history of ecology was the development of evolutionary theory. The start of this theory can be pinpointed to the work of Charles Darwin in the 19th century, postulating that organism are born by a process called evolution. This definition integrated within it the concept of natural selection, which is the process by which organisms with more beneficial characteristics survive more than those without, and therefore transfer these characteristics to their offspring.This theory was of course expounded upon by many other professionals in fields like botany, which deal hea vily with understanding the relation of plants and their environments, and microbiology â€" however, it was ecology that saw the greatest improvement. The study of the evolution of species and environments has now been improved with advancements in technology.Population EcologyThis field of study involves understanding the processes and events that effect the population flows of animal and plant populations. While this may seem distanced from everyday life and study, you actually experience and learn about this all the time. The city where you life in, for example, has many connections to the populations of the animals that inhabit it now or once inhabited it.This isn’t limited to animals â€" plants also form an important part of population ecology. For example, geographers often take plant species into account when identifying specific territories. Factors such as pollution, city development, genetic mutations and other mico-organismal processes, and human activity can all impact this field.Understanding microorganisms and their role in ecology is vital to medicineCommunity EcologyThis branch of ecology often goes hand in hand with population ecology. This is due to its area of focus, which has to do with studying the function and organization of species in particular geographical areas and habitats. A biological community is defined as arising from the interaction of species with one another.Within this field, you will often encounter tools such as trophic pyramids and graphical representations of energy flows. Some common examples that you are likely to encounter in your study of ecology include depictions of photosynthesis and food webs. This field of study is extremely important to work in conservation.Population DynamicsThe dynamics of population are tied, of course, with population ecology. However, this specific term deals with the actual number of individuals within a population, and how that number changes over time. While you’re more likely to e ncounter this subject in higher levels of biology and ecology, it is a dynamic field and combines the power of biological and mathematical principles.This field is particularly dependent on graphical representations of populations. For example, you are likely to be familiar with different theories and graphs about population growth in humans â€" the most obvious example being census information given by national and international bodies.Environmental ScienceWhile it is often seen as perfectly acceptable to use ecology and environmental science as interchangeable in relation to understanding fields of study, it is important to note that environmental science can also be regarded as a field of its own and often collaborates with fields pertaining to the study of animals or that of plants.This particular branch of ecology forms an interdisciplinary network of study, including ecology, chemistry, physics, geology, and engineering. It should not be confused with environmental studies, wi th deals exclusively with the relationship humans have to the environment.Environmental science, however, holds more quantitative aspects and is interesting if you enjoy learning about ecology but also have interests in the fields of economics and mathematics.Conservation BiologyThanks to many of the world’s global leaders, this particular discipline has seen a rise in popularity within the media. The main goal of conservation biology is to use a multidisciplinary approach to addressing the rise and fall of biological diversity.It is often seen as a “mission-oriented crisis discipline,” meaning that these scientists will often use theoretical information and try to apply it to solving issues like over-harvesting and habitat loss and fragmentation. Because this discipline requires a vast knowledge about ecosystems and habitats, as well as the skills to quantify them, it is important to understand both ecology and analytic mathematics or economics.Ecology has opened up a world o f different professionsBest Places to Study EcologyThe best schools, in terms of studying ecology, will obviously depend on which specialization you’d like to get involved with â€" either from the list above or another one that you have studied. Some of the best schools for ecology around the globe for environment-related ecology are:University of California Berkeley, United StatesWageningen University and Research Center, NetherlandsStanford University, United StatesSwiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, SwitzerlandUniversity of Oxford, United KingdomIf you’re looking to study in the UK, some universities worth checking out for biological sciences include:University of St. Andrews, ScotlandUniversity of Cambridge, EnglandUlster University, Northern IrelandUniversity of Cambridge, EnglandCareers in Environmental StudiesFortunately, jobs in ecology are both diverse and numerous because of its interaction with many other disciplines. If you’re interested in becoming a sci entist in ecological fields, and are looking for dynamic and integrative solutions to today's most pressing concerns, this might be the right field for you.While being a biologist often means working in fields closely related to laboratory work, being an ecologist often means taking part in research and opportunities outdoors, both on the molecular level and on a bigger, organismal scale.If you’re interested in working in this field, you’re average salary will depend on the specialization you would like to take. For example, whereas environmental scientists earn about £60,000 annually, hydrologists earned about £75,000 per year. Here are some career options to look into if you are interested in working in ecology:Environmental engineerConservationFisheriesBiogeographyEcosystem servicesForestry

Why Online English Tutoring Is Useful For Your Kids To Enhance Their English Skills

Why Online English Tutoring Is Useful For Your Kids To Enhance Their English Skills 0SHARESShare This blog is dedicated to check out why online English tutoring is important for your kid to enhance English skills. Here are few primary targeted areas of improvement by qualified professional English online tutor which enhance overall English skills from very ground level. Vocabulary Building vocabulary is the first step towards learning any language. Vocabulary is the dictionary, terminology, glossary or word list that is used while communicating with others in particular language. English tutor form a practice of using dictionary to find out words, their meaning and its uses while forming a sentence. They instill a habit of taking notes on vocabulary; make a sentence using that word thus remember a word in your own way. They give lot of practice work to find out related terminology of different aspects of life. Grammar Grammar is equally important in developing English skills. The spoken English tutor teaches different aspects of grammar by reading sentence aloud and explaining the proper use of grammar. Like Math online tutoring, English tutor gives lot of practice work that not only improves your vocabulary, grammar but improves your pronunciation and tone while speaking English. Reading and Writing Comprehension Lot of reading and writing is the best way to improve your English comprehension skills. Tutor gives stress on reading newspaper and magazines that will help you talk in English very fluently in long run. Reading will also help you understand format, language, tone and sequence of putting idea in the form of article, news or story. It will place you at better position to express your views and opinions in simple and efficient way. Online English tutoring is fantastic for healthy communication may it be on academic or professional level. [starbox id=admin]

Online Printable Venn Diagram With Lines Tutors

Online Printable Venn Diagram With Lines Tutors Venn diagram is a diagram representation or pictorial representation of a given logical data or set of information to solve different kinds of problems. Venn diagram is a very useful method to solve logical problems in math. Venn diagram gives a detailed understanding and pictorial explanation to solve a given question. Venn diagrams make solving some difficult problems trivial and more efficient. Example 1: 10 students in a class are taking English and 15 students in the class are taking Physics. Find the number of students in the class taking Physics classes only. Solution: Number of students taking English classes = 10. Number of students taking Physics classes = 15. Number of students taking both the classes = 5. Using the Venn diagram below: Number of students taking physics only = 15-5 = 10. Hence 10 students in the class are taking physics only. Example 2: There are 25 students in a class. 10 students like playing football and 12 students in the class like to play baseball. If 2 students like to play both the games. Find the number of students in the class who do not play any sport. Solution: Number of students in the class = 25. Number of students who play football = 10. Number of students who play baseball = 12. Number of student who play both the games = 2 Using the Venn diagram below: Number of students who do not play any of the games = 25-(8 + 2 + 10) = 25 - 20 Therefore, 5 students do not play both the games.

The Incan Civilization

The Incan Civilization What Defined the Inca Empire? ChaptersOutlining the Inca CivilisationLife in the Incan EmpireIncan TechnologyWhat Remains of the Incan Empire TodayToday, the Incan Empire is known as the largest in pre-Columbian America, and the most efficient.For all of its glaring holes in civic structure â€" no currency or legal code to name just two, their political and administrative structure was nevertheless the most developed of all the south- and Mesoamerican societies.Theirs was a relatively short tenure but impactful nonetheless.It was a remarkable civilisation, flourishing in spite of challenges posed in no small part by the terrain they occupied, as well as other factors that we will now explore in-depth. 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 Te acher 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 tutorsOutlining the Inca Civilisation Peruvians today try to recapture the glory of the Incan empire Image by Mauricio Ortega from PixabayBefore their organisation into an empire, the people who occupied the land the empire was founded on were pastoral â€" animal farmers.While there is nothing written down about the founding of the Inca empire, oral history details a story in which eight siblings, 4 male and 4 female, stepped out of a cave.One brother, Ayar Manco, carried a fine staff made of gold. It was said that, wherever his staff should touch the earth, people would settle.Cusco is where his staff finally touched the ground.The people already on that land put up a fight but, after one of Manco’s sisters killed one of the land’s defenders, the rest ran away, frightened, leaving the Cusco dwellers to surrender and submit.The brother with the golden staff, Manco, became the founder of the Inca.A more pragmatic (and possibly provable) beginning of the Incan civilization is that the empire builders were actually refu gees of the urban-dwelling Wari and the pastoral Tiwanaku.This theory certainly makes sense when we consider the remnants of Inca civilisation, especially the magnificent structures they built.GeographyCentred in the Andes mountains, the Inca Empire covered a large portion of western South America.At its height, it encompassed Peru and parts of Equador, as well as parts of Bolivia, Argentina and most of Chile.The seat of the empire, Cusco (also spelt Cuzco), is located in southeastern Peru, high in the Andes Mountains â€" 34,000 meters above sea level, to be exact.While not close to a body of water â€" Lake Titicaca is several miles away, the Incans nevertheless managed to engineer ways of harnessing water for bathing, for drinking and for their crops.They were also keen strategists, using their territory and their knowledge of the Peruvian highlands to maximise their military strength when fighting against the Spanish conquistadors.Discover also how the geography of the Fertile Cre scent allowed the Mesopotamian civilization to thrive...GovernmentMuch like the United States today, the Incan Empire followed a federal model of government: several independent states that ultimately fell under the rule of a central body of legislators.However, unlike the US and its 50 states, the Inca only had four quarters whose corners ‘met’ in Cusco.Each quarter, or suyu was governed by an Apu, a man of high distinction and status. The same term was used to identify especially venerated mountains!Each Apu held rule over several districts within his quarter; it is estimated that, at the height of Incan rule, there may have been more than 80 such districts.We must bear in mind that there are no actual records of the Inca model of government. What we know comes from Spanish documents of the time and they are often misleading and/or open to interpretation.At the federal level, the Incan governing body was strikingly similar to what we see in modern-day politics.At the top of th e hierarchy would be the overall leader, often with a religious leader in tandem. Below would fall a person akin to a prime minister, who oversaw a sort of Council of the Realm.This council was comprised of 16 noblemen, with a fair representation of ‘higher’ and ‘lower’ divisions of the empire.Said ‘higher’ and ‘lower’ reflect social stratification â€" the separation of nobles versus commoners; it is not an indication of the altitude at which those people lived. Both males and females were tasked with caring for livestock Image by Yolanda Coervers from PixabayLawsAs mentioned before, the Inca left not codified laws; possibly because they lived by a strict moral code that had only three premises:Do not steal (ama sua)Do not lie (ama llulla)Do not be lazy (ama quella)To ensure enforcement, it became everyone’s civic duty to report on wrongdoers. In addition, they had inspectors to oversee compliance.This moral code tied in with their religious belief that good people would inherit heaven â€" snow-capped mountains topping a beautiful pasture.They especially feared not being ‘good’ because it was told that they would spend their eternity in the cold earth.Learn about the death rites of the Aztec culture.EconomyCuriously, the Incan Empire used no money and established no markets. The people used a bartering system among themselves and among groups.To pay their duty to the state â€" what would be considered taxation if currency were involved , individuals or groups performed labour for the good of the empire.This work could be building roads or monuments, serving in a military capacity or being a runner.The Incas perfected a form of long-distance communication by having runners stationed at intervals along their more than 8,000 km of roads.When a government official in Cusco needed to send a message to an official in a distant province, he would task a runner to carry the message.From there, message delivery became a relay race. The first runner would arrive at the first outpost, pass on the message and the second runner would take off... and so on until the message reached the intended ears.Because of instances such as this, in economic terms sociologists have described the Incan Empire as either a feudal state, a slave state or a socialist state.Whether it was a socialist paradise or social tyranny is still being debated.Life in the Incan EmpireDiligence was highly valued in Incan society; much of what people did revo lved around civil service.Curiously, even though everyone was considered a servant â€" even the kings served the Incan ideal, and there was no wealth to amass, there were sharp distinctions between people.Social StratificationNaturally, kings or supreme leaders were at the very top of the pile. They were called Capacs and they often came to their position as a matter of heredity. They were permitted several wives.Inca nobility, called Inka, also inherited their social position. They were easy to recognise because their heads would be oddly conical from having been wrapped when they were infants.Such head wrapping was considered a mark of distinction in many cultures, not just the Inca!Curacas were bureaucrats and government functionaries and caciques were agricultural community leaders.Chasqui is the last social rank above the general population. They were the runners along Incan highways that we mentioned earlier. Such a stretch would be rather easy for Incan runners to course Image by Alper Sevinc from PixabayReligionSpanish records allude to the Inca belief in reincarnation.There was a prohibition of burning a body after death because doing so would threaten their passage to the afterworld. Hence, Incans would be mummified and stored, so that they could be retrieved at times of celebration.Besides believing in reincarnation and following the Incan moral code â€" do not lie, steal or be lazy, the Incans worshipped a pantheon of gods:Viracocha (or Pachacamac): creator of all living thingsPachamama: wife of Viracocha; mother of the EarthInti: sun god who smiles with special favour on the city of Cuscohe was their patron deity, meaning that he was thought to reside in the city, causing Cusco to be thought of as the City of the Sun.Mama Killa: wife of Inti, called the Moon MotherIllapa: goddess of lightning and thunderAyar Cachi: a hot-tempered god whose tantrums cause earthquakesMama Occlo: taug ht people how to be civilised; taught women how to weave cloth and build housesManco Capac was considered a god as well as the father of the Inca people. He taught them how to share resources and work together; he also taught them how to craft weaponry and plant crops.It is hard to determine whether Manco Capac was real or merely a part of their oral history whose legend grew with each retelling.Certainly, somebody had to found the empire, lead it and hand it off to a successor, as it is told Manco did. But trying to distinguish myth from fact with no records to examine...By contrast, Egyptologists have no trouble deciphering Ancient Egypt’s civilisation.SacrificesMuch like the Mayans, the Inca routinely offered their gods a buffet of human sacrifice â€" especially child sacrifice.Should water be lacking or if there wasn’t enough food; if the supreme leader died, one or several children would be offered to the gods in return for their renewed benevolence.Leisure ActivitiesThere is not much indication of what Incan people did for fun; accounts reverberate with a sense of pleasure in duty, of belonging to the greater whole and to be given tasks equal to one’s neighbour.A fine example of that mentality is evident in the Incan principles of marriage.Males were permitted to marry after age 20; females about four years younger and these unions were generally very businesslike. Nobody married outside of their social class.Once a couple sets up on their own, the bride was expected to manage all aspects of the home and care for the children when they come, work in the garden and tend to livestock.Males also tended to the animals and may work in the garden but their duties included building houses, carrying in firewood and joining in combat, if necessary.Early fleets of Spaniards saw the division of labour between males and females as more of a slave/master relationship, with the man being the master.The women could not seem to convince them that they were happy t o have an equal burden of responsibility.  And no matter how one looked at the matter, the life of the Inca, male and female, was one of servitude.Not much is known about how Incan nobles spent their leisure time but we know plenty about how the ancient Greeks played... Inca agricultural terraces also provided a way to store water Image by mckinleypitts from PixabayIncan TechnologyIn many ways, the Incas have it all over other ancient societies who performed magnificent feats of engineering.For one, their use of agricultural terraces to capture and retain water while experimenting with crops is nothing short of brilliant.Besides irrigating the agricultural terraces, those aqueducts brought fresh water into the living centres; they even built communal baths.What is truly remarkable about the Incan waterways is that they were so precisely hewn out of solid rock rather than assembled, as the Roman aqueducts were.When you think about their not having any metal tools, it makes that feat even more astounding.To this day, thanks to their engineering savvy and hard work, those agricultural terraces, called the Sacred Valley of the Incas, is one of the most fecund areas of Peru.Their other feats of engineering are no less amazing... take their rope bridges, for example.Because the empire graced the top of the Andean Range, it was necessary to create passages from one outpost to the next without the messengers or workers having to descend through treacherous territory, only to have to climb more of the same.Building a rope bridge entailed having a team of workers on either side of the gorge they sought to span.One team would secure the bridge materials on their side of the gorge, and then fire an arrow to the other side with the other end of the rope attached.The worker on the other side should catch the arrow and/or rope, fasten it on his end and then begin the death-defying journey across it to make sure it was sound.What Remains of the Incan Empire TodayAs with the original Australians, the Inca succumbed to the diseases brought by their European invaders: smallpox, influenza, measles and typhus.By the time the third wave of Spanish conquerors landed, they found the population badly decimated.Furthermore, the restive population was d isenchanted with the sons of Sapa Inca, the overall leader, fighting for the throne.When Atahualpa, who defeated his brothers to win the crown, met with a delegation of Spaniards, he soundly rejected the Spanish king’s order to surrender and hand over all Incan wealth. They promptly imprisoned him.He bargained: with enough gold to fill his cell and twice that amount of silver, would they set him free?The Spanish agreed to those terms but, once the wealth was delivered, they reneged, slitting Atahualpa’s throat.Oddly enough, the Inca were relieved that their supreme leader was dead. Without much fuss, they let go of their gods, their rules and their way of life.The last Inca holdout, a village high in the mountains named Vilcabamba, was conquered in 1572. The last ruler was executed and whatever was left of the Incan way of life was destroyed.Unlike the Sumerians who invented one of the world’s first writing systems and recorded their deeds, the Incan legacy can only be reconst ructed from Spanish documents; a fairly biased narrative.However, they left us fantastic architecture to marvel over â€" Machu Picchu and other stone buildings, and many mysteries yet to understand.Now learn about more ancient civilisations...

3 Lessons to Take Away From the GMAT

3 Lessons to Take Away From the GMAT When am I going to use this in real life? How many times did we speak these words during high school when faced with a challenging math problem? Well, if you sit for the GMAT, you will be prompted to recall some of this information. Much of it hasn't been necessary to us for a number of years, and the majority is tested in such a way that it doesn't seem to apply to business school or the business world. However, the time you spend studying for and taking the GMAT will teach you several lessons that will be useful even beyond your exam date: 1. You will learn how to best use data By the time you finish this test, you will be able to decipher complex charts, graphs, and tables. You will learn to cull the tiniest pieces of information from emails, memos, and the attachments that accompany them. The new Integrated Reasoning Section requires you to perform all of these tasks. Many Critical Reasoning questions will require you to explain if facts and figures supporting an argument are actually representative of and relevant to the situation. And, of course, preparing for Data Sufficiency problems will improve your ability to determine if you have all the information necessary to arrive at a definitive answer and if you've considered all the possibilities. These skills are heavily relied upon in business, where people create projections and predictive models frequently. The ability to base these models on relevant data, the skills to identify the appropriate data out of an overwhelming volume of information, and the foresight to predict unusual circumstances and r eactions are crucial to the success of these business world predictions. This is some great information on how the GMAT is scoredthat you may find useful as well. 2. You will learn how to properly construct arguments It's one thing to realize you possess the data, or the primary concepts, or the projected result of a particular action. It's quite another to be able to articulate it in a manner that allows other people who need to understand it to do so. Once you know that you have sufficient data to make a decision or prediction or proposal, you must then recognize the unstated evidence that is not readily apparent, but that is necessary for your case to work. These are the assumptions, and when they exist, it often means there is data that is missing that needs to be addressed. Here are 3 GMAT strategies you learned while in collegethat you may find helpful. In Critical Reasoning, most of the question types relate to assumptions and inferences, and they test your ability to identify and/or manipulate them. The GMAT essay also requires you to analyze someone else's argument and determine what unsupported assumptions cause it to be flawed. When it's time to present your completed ideas to the worl d, the skills learned studying for the Sentence Correction portion of the exam are invaluable. Sentence corrections test you on seemingly arcane rules, but in doing so, they likewise require you to develop a keen editing eye and greater ease with the mechanics of language. 3. You will learn how to approach situations in a variety of ways While committing formulas and rules to memory is central to GMAT success, you also need to familiarize yourself with test-taking strategies. With 37 quantitative and 41 verbal problems to complete and just 75 minutes per section to do so, your most useful skill is recognizing when to deploy each tool: content, strategies, or strategic guessing. This will only be learned by completing a multitude of problems on numerous tests so that you understand your strengths and weaknesses, your favorite and least favorite approaches, patterns in the test questions, and so on. At times, you may employ two different approaches within the same problem, or you may solve a problem differently than the majority of people do, in a way that works faster and more accurately for you. This ability to quickly assess a problem, arrive at your best approach to solving it, and use every tool at your disposal will serve you well long after the GMAT is over. Here are some great GMAT resourcesthat you may find he lpful in your GMAT prep. You may also want to take a look at these 5 steps to help revitalize a struggling GMAT prep routine. Once you conquer the GMAT, many of the skills you summoned from the past will return to the dark recesses of your memory again, to be replaced with new knowledge from business school and life. But above all things, if you devote the proper amount of time to preparing for this test, not only will you achieve a high mark, but you'll learn the most important lesson of all: You can achieve anything you put your mind to.

English Listening Exercise A Tribute To Mandela

English Listening Exercise A Tribute To Mandela Our listening exercise this week is in honor of Nelson Mandela.In a very short amount of time, the video below by the New York Times  creates a portrait of a man focused on accomplishing important things, who has strong beliefs that he is willing to sacrifice everything for, a man who makes big sacrifices, but accomplishes big things.The power of language is heard in the clips of Mandelas speeches. Watching this video I also found it interesting hear about the true meaning of the word apartheid. The video illustrates the negative and positive power language and the words we choose can have in our societies.The entire video is worth watching, but the listening exercise will cover just the first 4 minutes.Fill in the gaps from the video. We will correct answers in comments.1. When a man has ______ what he considers to be his duty in his country he can ____ in peace.2. What was the central goal?3.  What does apartheid mean?4. How did Mandela arrive at his trial?5. It is an ideal for wh ich I hope to _____for; but my lord if it needs be it is an ideal for ____ Im prepared to ___. 6.  How old was Nelson Mandela when he was sentenced to life in prison?7. What was Nelson Mandelas strategy?8. How old was he when he was released from prison?9. It was an _________ moment.Writing Exercise:What are your thoughts on Nelson Mandelas life and death? Has your country had a leader like Mandela? Someone who brought great change to the country? As always well correct your answers in comments. Aleksandra Lobova 1. “When a man has done what he considers to be his duty in his country he can _rest___ in peace.”2. What was the central goal? That south Africa would be ruled by southafricans.3. What does apartheid mean? It means “apartness”.4. How did Mandela arrive at his trial? Wearing traditional … skin garb.5. “It is an ideal for which I hope to _live____for; but my lord if it needs be it is an ideal for _which___ I’m prepared to _die__. ”6. How old was Nelson Mand ela when he was sentenced to life in prison? He was 44.7. What was Nelson Mandela’s strategy? Hia strategy was to give white rulers every chance to retreat in orderly way.8. How old was he when he was released from prison? He was 719. “It was an __simbolic___ moment.” LOIEnglish Good work, excellent listening skills! You have two mistakes in your answers related to articles (a, an, the) Question #7: to retreat in AN orderly way. Remember that even when we have an adverb (orderly) we still must use an article before the verb. For example: He was driving in A reckless manner.Question #9: It was A symbolic moment. In this case we use a rather than an because symbolic begins with S We only use an when it is a vowel beginning the word (a,e,i,o,u) an elephant, an apple, an idea, an outhouse, an undercurrent. We do sometimes use an with a word beginning with h if the h is silent. For example: an honor, a huge problem. Rafa 1. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty in his country he can die in piece2. Mandela history3. Literally apartness4. He was accused of betrayal against the government5. It is an ideal for which I hope to LIVE for; but my lord if it needs be it is an ideal forwhat I am prepared to die.6. he was forty four years old7. He decided to negotiate in a secrecy with national party, ruled by white people.8. he was seventy one years old9. It was a symbolic moment LOIEnglish Rafagood work.Question #1 is: rest in peace (note the spelling, peace means no war) piece means a part or portion of something. Can I have a piece of pie. I pray for world peace everyday.Question #2: I dont understand your answer.Question #4: He arrived wearing traditional garb (tribal skins)Question #5: you have a mistake in the relative pronoun: an ideal for WHICH I am prepared to die for. You might want to check out our video on relative pronouns. Rafa Thank you very much!I am sharing your services as much as I can as thanks of your videos Francis 1. “When a man has done what he considers to be his duty in his country he can die in peace.”2. What was the central goal? Mandelas life.3. What does apartheid mean? If means that when someone discriminatates another one who has different race. (I dont know if I could use the translator, but I used it)4. How did Mandela arrive at his trial? He underscore that hes an african entering (?) a white man jurisdiction.5. “It is an ideal for which I hope to live for; but my lord if it needs be it is an ideal for which I’m prepared to die. ”6. How old was Nelson Mandela when he was sentenced to life in prison? 447. What was Nelson Mandela’s strategy? Nelson Mandelas strategy was to give (I dont understand why here there isnt TO) the white rulers any chances to retreat in an ordinary way.8. How old was he when he was released from prison? 719. “It was a clearist and an electrifying moment.”Writing exercise: First of all, I think that Im one of the few people who didnt know exactly wha t Nelson Mandela did (or have done? Im confused) in his life until few days ago that was when he died. Of course I knew that he was a black politic of a state in Africa who was looking for the freedom of his country. His death made (or has made?) me think about the injustice in this world. There are a lot of it. I hope there are other people who want to change the world as much he did. Even if there are, they are not in my country. I live in Italy, and Im telling you that every politics are selfish, they only think about theirselves. They dont help the citizen but their family. Its unfair at all. LOIEnglish Francis, Question #3: apartheid means separate or apart. It was a word used to describe the policy of South Africa which meant that there were essentially two countries not equal and that the black people were separate and lived in a separate way than the white people. Question #4: He arrived wearing traditional garb. He wore the traditional skins of his tribe. Question #7: you have a question about give and the use of to Give is a verb that doesnt need a preposition, to For example: I gave him a new key, because he lost his old one.give is direct with the object: give someone something. She gives her time to them every week.Your writing:First of all, I think that Im one of the few people who DOESNT know exactly what Nelson Mandela DID in his life until A few days ago WHEN he died.Of course I knew that he was a black POLITICIAN of a state in Africa who was looking for freedom FOR his country. (note: there is no the before freedom, we dont use articles when talking about topics or themes; freedom, justice, religion) His death made me think about the injustice in this world.I live in Italy, and Im telling you that ALL POLITICIANS are selfish, they only think about THEMSELVES.They dont help the citizenS ONLY their family.Its TOTALLY unfair. or IT ISNT FAIR AT ALL. Francis Thank you very much, Im feeling so stupid right now but Im going to keep studing hard. LOIEnglish Dont feel stupid! Learning languages is challenging but the only way to improve is to make mistakes.

Using Despite, In spite of, and Although - Video and Exercises

Using Despite, In spite of, and Although - Video and Exercises Our grammar point of the week is about despite/in spite of and although.  Our English lesson this week is about sleep.Although, I slept for 8 hours I still feel tired.  In spite of my busy schedule I manage to get 8 hours of sleep every night.  Can you switch  although  and  in spite of in these sentences? No.  English learners often confuse when to use although  or  despite/in spite of.  They serve the same purpose to talk about contrast or something that is contradictory, however they have a different grammatical form which can confuse an English learner. Look at the sentences below:Despite  he  is always late for work he wakes up early.  Although is correct here because it is followed by a subject + verb.   Alhough  the awful bed I slept really well.  Despite should be used here because it is followed by a noun the awful bed.  If these are confusing, watch the video below and do the exercise. Match the sentence halves:  a. In spite of his age                          b. despite the low salary and long hours.                                     c. in spite of the rain.                             d. I couldnt sleep.                                     e. we arent close1. Although I was tired________________________.2. I like my job______________________________.3. I rode my bike home ______________________.4. Although we went to school together____________________________.5. _____________________________he runs every day.Do you get enough sleep? I feel tired often  although  I usually sleep 8 hours. Muhammad Rizwan 1. Although I was tired. I couldn’t sleep.2. I like my job despite the low salary and long hours.3. I rode my bike home in spite of the rain.4. Although we went to school together we aren’t close.In spite of his age he runs every day. LOIEnglish Good work Muhammad! Try our listening exercise about sleep and the snooze button next. As always thanks for posting. If you have any gra mmar questions please contact me. aieruz Please be careful as to the use of commas. In the first sentence, Although, is incorrect. The comma should go after hours- In the other sentences, the comma should go at the end of the subordinate clause In spite of/Despite (whatever-Noun Phrase), she managed to get through. These details speak volumes about the quality -or shortcomings- of the service offered. Affectionately, an English teacher from the Basque Country Miren