Budgeting for Mount Fuji

Budgeting for Mount Fuji The Cost of Visiting Mount Fuji ChaptersHow Much Does a Trip to Mount Fuji Cost?How Much Does Accommodation Cost in Mount Fuji?How Much Does Food at Mount Fuji Cost?Extra Costs when Visiting Mount Fuji“Nana korobi, ya oki” (Fall down seven times, stand up eight.) - Japanese ProverbIf you want to head up Mount Fuji, you should know that it’s tough. You should also know that it’s worth heading up the biggest mountain in Honshu and the Land of the Rising Sun. You could join the other 300,000 people who climb the mountain every year whilst it’s open from July to September.Mt. Fuji, also known as Fuji-san, is an active volcano and the highest mountain in Japan and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While it's been a long time since it's erupted, the activity is closely monitored just in case of an eruption.You need to plan a trip to Japan and that means you need to think about how much you’re going to spend.Here’s how much you can expect to spend on a trip to Mount Fuji. NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/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 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 tutorsHow Much Does a Trip to Mount Fuji Cost?Before going to Mount Fuji, you need to get to Japan. The best way to get there from the UK is by plane. Get your flights as early as possible to save money. Before you get to Mount Fuji, you'll need to get to Japan! (Source: WikimediaImages)The Cost of Flights from London to TokyoJuly and August are the busiest months in Japan. Similarly, these are during the summer holidays in the UK and when Mount Fuji is open. Try to get your flights at least three months in advance. If you can, try looking six months in advance.For example, you can get flights starting at £500 return per person for the start of July. Flights are around 12 hours.  You can find cheaper flights if you’re willing to stop somewhere on your way to Tokyo.Here’s our advice for getting the best rates:Be flexible on your dates. There are regular flights to Tokyo. Choose the dates with the cheapest flights.Use flight comparison sites like Skyscanner or Google Flight.Check different airlines.Find out more about the history of Mount Fuji.Getting to Mount Fuji from TokyoThere are two main ways to get to Mount Fuji from Tokyo. While the mountain is located across the Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures and surrounded by the towns of Gotemba, Fujiyoshida, Fujinomiya, and Fuji, heading to Lake Kawaguchi is your best bet from Tokyo. While the shinkansen is quick, a bus might be more cost-effective for getting to Mount Fuji. (Source: AndyLeungHK)Buses (2 and a half hours). Returns cost around £40 and buses leave every 40 minutes between 6:00 and 21:00 from the Shinjuku Station to the Keio bus terminal. You can also leave from Tokyo Station with the JR Kanto Bus company. The terminus is Kawaguchiko.The train takes around 2 hours but you will have to change trains. You’ll depart from the Shinjuku station to Otsuki before changing to the train to Kawaguchiko. At around £60 return, this is slightly more expensive than the bus.You can reserve the bus up to a month in advance. If you’re planning on going to Mount Fuji for a weekend, you should book ahead to ensure you have a place. Similarly, you should also ensure that when taking the bullet train (Shinkansen), that you get your seats on the right side to be able to see some fantastic views of Mount Fuji as you go past.However, you’ll probably want to spend a few days there. It would be a shame to get there and find out that it’s cloudy, foggy, or rainy, especially since the weather can be unpredictable in Japan.Once you’re at Kawaguchiko station, you can walk to the 5th station 2,300m up. However, the walk isn’t particularly interesting and is very long. It’s better to go to the bus stop and take the 55-minute bus trip, which leaves every half an hour. You can find timetables on the site Japan Guide. A single trip costs around £10 and a return trip costs around £18.You can also get to Mount Fuji from Kyoto.If you’ve got a Japan Rail Pass, you’ll probably want to go by train. Otherwise, the bus will be the best option financially.How Much Does Accommodation Cost in Mount Fuji?Once you get there, you’ll need somewhere to stay. Accommodation in the Land of the Rising Sun can be quite costly but it depends where you stay. A stay in a ryokan will be costlier than in a youth hostel. There's a good range of accommodation in the towns around Mount Fuji. (Source: FranckinJapan)You won’t find beds like in the West in Japan since a traditional Japanese bed is a futon. You can also sleep in capsules.Have a look at Booking.com for hotels near the volcanic mountain. In summer, try and book ahead. You can also stay near the Kawaguchiko station in the town of Fujiyoshida at the foot of Mount Fuji. You’ll find hotels for as little as £40 a night up to £130 a night for a room in the Mystays Fuji Onsen.  Of course, you can pay even more if your budget allows it and you fancy a private villa.Don’t hesitate to have a look at Airbnb. If you are on a budget, you might want to consider Couchsurfing near Mount Fuji.If you want to head up Mount Fuji, you should know that it’s tough. There are several stops on the way up to the summit. In some cases, you can stay in a small hut in bunk beds. Climbers make their way up all throughout the day and night, after all.It’s reco mmended to stop if you begin to feel tired. You can pay between 6,000 and 8,000 yen a night and some of these huts charge by the hour if you only want to stop for a bit. Generally, these cost around 1,000 yen an hour. You can find lists of these huts online.Generally, you’ll have to pay to use the toilets in these huts, which costs around 200 yen.How Much Does Food at Mount Fuji Cost?There’s food in Japan for all budgets depending on what you get. There are cheap dishes between £3 and £5 and you can get these from fast-food restaurants.If you’re staying in a youth hostel, Airbnb, or Couchsurfing, you can always cook for yourself.  Around Mount Fuji, you can find teppanyaki restaurants where you can pay around £50 per person.On Mount Fuji, you should probably plan to bring some food yourself. Meals are expensive and aren’t particularly good on the way up. Expect to pay 1,000 yen for a simple curry and rice.When it’s busy, you’ll find there’s not much good stuff left to eat. Soup or noodles will cost you around 400 yen and an energy bar will cost around 250 yen.Find out what else you can do at Mount Fuji.The Cost of a Three-day Trip to Mount FujiThe total cost of your trip to Japan and Mount Fuji will vary from person to person. Here’s a sample budget for spending three days there:Flights London-Tokyo: £500 return.Transport from Tokyo: £50.Hotel: £400 for a double room with a bathroom.Food: £100 per person per day.Total: £1,050.You can pay less if you opt for youth hostels and cook for yourself.Find out more about planning a trip to Mount Fuji.Extra Costs when Visiting Mount FujiThere are other costs that you may need to think about. Don't forget additional costs like hiking equipment! (Source: AlexAntropov86)Hiking equipment: warm clothes and waterproofs. Even in summer, it can be cold and there’s snow on the summit. A headlamp is also a good idea if you’re planning on climbing Mount Fuji at night. Opt for a decent pair of hiking boots.Before you head off, make sure you pick up some water. You should bring 2 to 3 litres per person and take the descent into account, too. Depending on your physical fitness, it can take between 5 and 10 hours on the way up and between 4 and 6 hours on the way down. Once you reach the summit, you might want to buy a certificate or a postcard.When climbing Mt. Fuji and visiting the Five lakes region, you should be aware that at 3,776.24 metres above sea level, altitude sickness is a real possibility so take the utmost care when climbing and always be prepared.Now you know the costs, it’s time to plan your trip to Mount Fuji.If you're interested in learning Japanese, there are p lenty of great resources online to help you. Similarly, you can also get help with your Japanese from one of the many talented tutors on Superprof.There are three main types of tutorial available for Japanese: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials. Each has its pros and cons and you'll have to choose the type that's right for you and your budget.Before you make your decision, remember that many of the tutors on Superprof will offer free tuition for the first hour. This means you can try a few tutors, see if you like their teaching style, and see if you get along with them. After all, it's useless paying for a tutor that you don't enjoy spending time with!

Online Surface Area of a Trapezoid Tutors

Online Surface Area of a Trapezoid Tutors Trapezoid is a 2-dimensional geometric shape which has one pair of parallel sides and one pair of non-parallel sides. A trapezoid therefore has 4 angles and 4 sides. If the non-parallel sides are equal to each other in length, then the trapezoid is known as an isosceles trapezoid. Surface area of a trapezoid is the area of the trapezoid and the formula is given by half the product of the sum of the lengths of the parallel sides and the height. Example 1: Find the area of the trapezoid which has parallel sides of length 6m, 4m, and height 5m Given: length of the parallel sides = a and b Height of trapezoid = h The Area of the trapezoid is = 1/2 *(a + b)* h. The value of a = 6m, b = 4m, h = 5m This makes the solution = 1/2 * (10m) * 5m = 25m2 Therefore, area of the given trapezoid is 25m2 Example 2: Find the area of the trapezoid which has parallel sides of length 10m, 7m, and height 8m. Given: length of the parallel sides = a and b Height of trapezoid = h The Area of the trapezoid is = 1/2 *(a + b)* h. The value of a = 10m, b = 7m, h = 8m This makes the solution = 1/2 * (17m) * 8m = 68m2 Therefore, area of the given trapezoid is 68m2

4 Most Challenging Questions on the New SAT

4 Most Challenging Questions on the New SAT The College Board is rolling out a redesigned SAT, slated to be given for the first time in March 2016. After a complete overhaul, the test is now designed to quiz students on the skills that are most valued by colleges. If you will be taking the new SAT, you may be wondering how the test is different, what you can expect, and how you can best prepare yourself to address these new questions. Heres a look at some of the most challenging questions on the new SAT: 1. Data interpretation questions in the SAT Reading test The SAT Reading test will no longer be a mix of questions on vocabulary and prose. On the new SAT, all of the questions are based on passages, you are not tested on obscure vocabulary, and some passages may require you to analyze graphs and data. In this sense, the new SAT Reading test doesnt just evaluate how you can interpret prose and fiction passages; you also will be tested on passages and data with a historical, scientific, and sociological focus. These new questions are meant to assess your readiness for data-based college courses. If you arent fully comfortable with your data interpretation skills, these questions may be particularly difficult for you. Plan ahead and start practicing these skills by reading essays or studies that are scientific, historical, and nonfiction in nature, and immerse yourself in data sets and graphs. Try using a prep book designed for the new SAT. 2. Advanced mathematical reasoning and trigonometry on the SAT Math section In the past, the SAT did not venture into math topics beyond the level of Geometry and Algebra I, but on the new SAT you can expect questions involving complex math, including trigonometry and new concepts in statistics and geometry. If youre taking the new SAT before youve reached these more advanced topics in class, find a math tutor or reach out to a teacher for help mastering these concepts before the test. In addition, make it a habit to practice these new concepts on your owncreatetrigonometry flashcards or take practice tests in advanced algebra. Maximize your score by becoming comfortable with every topic tested on the SAT Math testeven the hardest topics! 3. Questions on grammar and rhetorical skills in the SAT Writing and Language section You may already be familiar with the current SAT Writing test, which includes a mandatory essay and about 49 questions that test your command of grammar, style, and punctuation. The new SAT Writing and Language test will still test these concepts, but will also test your knowledge of the message, organization, and development of a passage at varying levels of difficulty. For this test, you should think of yourself as an editor, identifying and correcting factual errors, grammar missteps, and improving the text of various passages, charts, tables, and other infographics. Much like an editor, you will need to consider the tasks of the old test (grammar, style, and punctuation) as well as the passages effectiveness as a whole, making decisions about the cohesion and overarching structure of the passage. [RELATED: What is an Average SAT Score?] 4. The new, optional SAT Essay The old, mandatory SAT essay was a rushed endeavor for many students, who found that constructing and supporting a persuasive essay in 25 minutes was a tough task. The new SAT essay is optional, and it differs drastically from the past SAT essay. The new SAT Essay is 50 minutes long and asks test-takers to thoroughly analyze a short passage. Youre not expected to develop and defend an opinion; rather, youll have to analyze how the author of the passage constructs his or her argument using evidence from the passage. Although you may not be used to doing such heavy analysis on a standardized test, with practice your SAT Essay skillsand all of the other new skills required for success on the new SATcan improve. [RELATED: How is the New SAT Scored?]

An Introduction to Geopolitics

An Introduction to Geopolitics Understanding Geopolitics ChaptersWhat Geopolitics IsWhat Geopolitics Isn’tExamples of Geopolitical InitiativesThe Geopolitics of BrexitInternational Relations. Foreign policy. Statesmen and ambassadors. International Organisations. Global society.All of these are aspects of geopolitics but they don’t quite express the full concept of what, exactly, is meant by that term.Political scientist Rudolf Kjellén coined that expression early in the 20th Century, applying his notion to alliances during the 1st World War; by the end 2nd World War, everyone was discussing international relations theory.Still, geopolitics is not a word you hear in everyday conversation; at least not outside of political science circles.News sources seldom mention it but most outlets discuss geopolitical situations such as instability in the Middle East or unease over Russia in virtually every broadcast.These are only a couple of aspects of the discipline we call geopolitics; there are others.In fact, to thoroughly acquaint you with the principles of geopolitics, Superprof dissects the concept to give you a comprehensive look at what geopolitics is and isn’t, what factors come into play and where to look to see geopolitics in action.No man is an island â€" John DonneThis 17th Century poem, espousing the human need for interconnection, could be seen as the basis of geopolitics.  It expresses the idea that no single individual, his actions or thoughts, can be separate from greater society.As for individuals, so too for nations.Our interconnected world demands interaction between governments, whether they hold similar ideas or not. Out of this need arises a set of protocols predicated on a variety of factors, including:natural resources, including raw goods such as minerals, ores and rare earth metals, as well as coal and petroleumtopography: is the land in question easy to live on? Easy to access? Easy to defend? Is there ample water to sustain the population?Population and demography: how many people is that l and expected to sustain? What are those people’s religious and dietary requirements? Can they be met?Climate: which foods can grow in which regions? Does the climate pose a significant danger to life or food production?One aspect of geopolitics we hear quite a bit about is territory.Last year, the American president broke with decades of diplomatic effort to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel.The problem is that at least a portion of that city had previously been promised to the State of Palestine, to say nothing of the fact that Jerusalem holds special significance for all the three of the Abrahamic religions.You can read more about the implications of this declaration in our companion article covering the geopolitics of the Middle East.Conversely, an ongoing dispute over waterways is taking place in the South China Seas. Territorial waters is another pertinent feature of geopolitics as it encompasses everything from national security to trade and food supplies.Whereas it is easy to draw a border on land, it is much more difficult to mark off where a country’s waters end, which can sometimes lead to squabbles.Obviously, it would be difficult to circumnavigate those waters in an attempt to appease the nation that claims them, a factor that leads political bodies to the negotiation table.How much power one side or the other exerts over its neighbours and global affairs, and how that power is exerted falls under the header of geopolitics.Now that we know a bit about what geopolitics covers, let’s look at what it doesn’t.Did you know that there is a whole other article written about geopolitics in Asia?What Geopolitics Isn’tMoney makes the world go ‘round â€" John Kander and Fred Ebb, from CabaretThere are tons of quotes, such as the one above, about money but, interestingly enough, a country’s economy has little to do with its geopolitical status.A country’s economy depends on many factors, some of which also determine its geopolitical posit ion and its role in global governance. Human and natural resources top that list.If there is nothing to work with or, conversely, nobody to perform work, the economy will not grow â€" and that country will not be able to exert as much political power in the region.Social and political factors also weigh heavily on a country’s economy.Not allowing a segment of the population to work and forcing retirement at an age where one could still be productive undercuts the available pool of labour, a condition for which the economy suffers.The trading of goods is an important part of international relations so, if a country has few goods to trade or cannot afford to trade without tariffs, its geopolitical position would be weaker than nations who do have a strong economy.One more way that a country’s economy plays a role in geopolitics: being able to provide for her citizens.Venezuela’s currently destabilised economy is a dramatic example of collapse that drives people to flee to other countries.We examined the Venezuelan crisis in depth in our article on geopolitics in Latin America.Such a case would be a perfect set-up for a vicious cycle: people flee to a nation with a stronger economy, which they then contribute to by finding work and paying taxes, making that country’s economy even stronger.Countries with a strong economy have the ability to build military power which gives them more clout in transnational as well as international affairs.Still, because a country’s economy is meant to satisfy the needs and desires of that nation’s people, it has no consideration in international politics.Today's Belt and Road initiatives is less about political economy than global leadership Image by Konevi from PixabayExamples of Geopolitical InitiativesThe simplest definition of geopolitics is political power linked to geographical location.To give you a good idea of how geopolitics affect countries’ foreign affairs, we put two well-publicised instances of world pol itics under the microscope.The rise of China as a world power led to global security concerns; whether they are well-founded remains to be seen.However, China’s Belt and Road initiative, a plan to connect that Asian superpower with three other continents by land and sea, serves to present China as an arbiter of world peace and security.The grand strategy behind these multiple infrastructure projects in Europe, Africa and Latin America is to promote trade while advancing China’s diplomacy across the globe.You can learn more about this ambitious project’s impact from our geopolitics in Africa article.The intended consequence of this international system is to reconfigure the global balance of power so that that Asian nation may claim a larger share than world powers had previously accorded it.With China well on its way to becoming a great power, the U.S. senses their global hegemony slipping away.Uneasy over the subtle shift of power, the Obama Administration announced it’s Pi vot to Asia plan, in which meagre peacekeeping forces kept in Asia would be augmented to full military contingents.This was done in an effort to contain China’s peaceful rise, all while protecting American allies Japan and the Philippines from a possible military threat from their much larger neighbour.International studies have concluded that the Pivot to Asia initiative did nothing to stop China’s rise as a global power.However, it did much to reinforce that nation’s grip on the South China Seas, even to the extent that China built military outposts on formerly deserted islands.Not all geopolitical initiatives have a catchy name.During the Cold War, containment was the strategy applied to the former Soviet Union to halt the spread of communism. After the fall of that regime, Russia painstakingly rebuilt its infrastructure and reasserted its century-long ties to the Middle East.Russia’s role as a conflict resolution orchestrator in Syria and Afghanistan has no snappy title, partly because Mr Putin prefers less scrutiny of his global politics.The other reason is that the Middle East is both strategically and economically important to Russia: it benefits that country to improve relations between themselves and those nations through which their pipelines run.Discover the many ways those pipelines impact geopolitics in Russia.What Brexit represents to those who are working or studying abroad is still an open geopolitical question Image by Stux from PixabayThe Geopolitics of BrexitFinally, we come close to home!As you might have learned from this article or from studying geopolitics around the world, virtually everything one people (think 'Jihadist') or government does sends ripples â€" if not outright shockwaves around the world.We need only to look at events following the Cold War for proof.The tension between competing powers (China and the U.S.), the use of force in the Middle East and emerging powers such as Russia, plying heretofore unseen soft power and economic clout in regions traditionally overlooked.All of this competition is taking place against a backdrop of rising nationalism.Over the last decade, shifts in power and international development have clashed against international security concerns, causing foreign relations to deteriorate... or, at least, cloak themselves in mistrust.Sometimes, it is just best to pull back, right? Take oneself out of the fray and reassess where priorities lie for that country and that population.Three years ago, our country put that question to its citizens: would our interests be better served remaining in the European Union or would we fare better without?Whether we like our Brexit hard or soft, leaving the European Union is already causing substantial geopolitical concerns.Those great powers, Germany and France, have a strong influence in Brussels; our most advantageous exit may depend on how favourably they see our role in international institutions and how generous they are in their t rade agreements.No man is an island; neither is any nation-state.Barring the fact that our country is indeed an island, we will nevertheless have to find our place in today’s world order once we are no longer a part of Europe.That is going to take a lot of studying global trends and rethinking our position. Which countries would work best with our international policy? Once separated from Europe, where would our rivalries lie?To understand our position better, we really need to delve deeply into the geopolitics of Europe.For further reading on the topics presented in this article, you may enjoy these pages:TopicWeb AddressBrexithttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/18/england-eu-referendum-brexit https://warsawinstitute.org/brexit-geopolitical-perspective/Pivot to Asiahttps://thegeopolitics.com/the-south-china-sea-disputes-and-the-pivot-to-asia/The Belt and Road Initiativehttps://thegeopolitics.com/geopolitical-and-economic-implications-of-the-belt-and-road-initiative /Geopolitical mapshttps://geopoliticalfutures.com/the-geopolitics-of-2017-in-4-maps/

Rock in Rio e a revolta dos rockeiros

Rock in Rio e a revolta dos rockeiros Na semana em que os ingressos para o Rock in Rio foram vendidos, tive uma grande discussão com um amigo. Estudamos juntos, fomos adolescentes e rebeldes juntos. Por isso, ele não entende de jeito algum que eu não tenho qualquer problema com o fato de que o Rock in Rio, apesar de ter a palavra rock no nome, não é um festival de música rock.A gente ouvia Legião, ele tinha uma bandinha de garagem de tributo ao GunsnRoses, o estilo era aquele rockeiro-adolescente-rebelde-sem-causa mesmo. Por causa disso, ele achou um ultraje que eu não me juntasse a ele na sua revolta contra o que organização do Rock in Rio estava fazendo.Sabe qual é o problema? A organização não está fazendo nada de novo, quem está se revoltando agora porque o Rock in Rio não é exclusivamente para rockeiros apenas mostra que não fez o dever de casa e não conhece a história do festival. O problema não foi o fato de eu achar isso, o problema foi partilhar essa minha forma de ver as coisas com ele. Co mo se diz por aí, deu ruim!Você pode até estar se revoltando neste momento, tal como ele se revoltou. Só não faz como ele, que ficou tão irritado que me mandou para a casa do Sr. Carvalho sem sequer ouvir o que eu tinha para dizer. Continua comigo mais um pouco.Qualquer pessoa que vá ao site do Rock in Rio vê lá, na seção sobre a história do festival, que eles dizem que conquistaram o mundo sempre com a intenção de levar todos os estilos de música para os mais variados públicos. Logo aí, se eles sempre tiveram essa intenção, era impossível que fosse um festival de rock, certo? Errado, para a maior parte das pessoas eles inventaram isso agora, para vender mais e ganhar dinheiro.Aí você lembra do que aconteceu em 2001, com o Carlinhos Brown levando garrafada, e percebe que não é de agora. Mesmo assim há quem vá cismar que foi uma invenção posterior à criação do festival. Nesse momento, se você ainda está seguindo a minha linha de raciocínio e ainda nà £o quer que eu vá falar com o Sr. Carvalho de novo, a gente vê outro detalhe. Tanto na primeira, como na segunda edição do Rock in Rio (1985 e 1991), houve uma artista que se destacou no cenário, que era quase que completamente dominado pelos rockeiros nacionais e internacionais. Sabe quem era? Era a Rita Lee da Caatinga, a Madonna do Agreste, a Tina Turner do Sertão, ela própria: Elba Ramalho! Agora você vê, desde a primeira edição eles misturam estilos. No início não era tanto como é hoje. Porém, nos anos 80 e 90 o rock praticamente dominava a música mundial! Se eles queriam ter sucesso com o festival, tinham que apostar no rock.  Sinceramente, acho que por isso veio o nome Rock in Rio. Porque o Rock ia chamar a juventude da época, porque a Cidade do Rock seria o lugar perfeito para que essa mesma juventude pudesse se sentir à vontade e porque rock em Inglês não é só música rock. Além de querer dizer pedra, além de se referir à música, em determinados co ntextos, quer dizer diversão, o que mais eles podiam querer?Passados quase 30 anos da primeira edição ainda tem gente que não aceita, não entende e se revolta. Vamos combinar? O Rock in Rrio não é um festival de rock por se chamar Rock in Rio, da mesma forma que Woodstock não era estoque de madeira por se chamar Woodstock.Resumindo e concluindo, peace out and rock on!

20 English Idioms Related to Body Parts - Intermediate Level English

20 English Idioms Related to Body Parts - Intermediate Level English Today I thought we would learn some English idioms related to body parts and master those expressions that are used every day.Scroll down to watch a short video lesson about Break a Leg idiom meaning.Yesterday a student used an incorrect expression. I knew what he meant to say but it was not correct. He meant to say “she went on foot” (meaning she walked to a place) but instead he said “she went by her legs”. There is not much difference between your foot and your leg but it can make a big difference in whether people understand you or not. English Idioms Related to Body Parts Here are some other English idioms and expressions using parts of the body.SIT ON YOUR HANDSThis usually is used to describe how someone decides to do nothing or is not allowed to do anything.He wanted to contact the customer and explain what happened. His boss told him to sit on his hands  for a few days.TO LEND A HANDThe opposite meaning to sit on your hands! Here we use this when someone asks us for help or we offer help to others.The office was very busy and lots of people needed to be contacted. The manager offered to lend a hand  to get the work done more quickly.COST AN ARM AND A LEGWe use this phrase when we are surprises or staggered by the cost of something.He crashed his car on the way home. There was a lot of damage. It would cost him an arm and a leg  to get it repaired! English Idioms related to Body Parts - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: English Idioms Related to Body Parts UP TO ONE’S NECKThis is used to represent a time when we have a lot to do or we are in a lot of trouble.I am up to my neck  in work this week could we possibly meet next week instead? He is  up to his neck  in bank debt as he borrowed a lot of money to buy that house.PAIN IN THE NECKA nuisance; an irritating, annoying person.I hope Mary doesnt bring her brother this time, he was a real pain in the neck the last time he was here.TO BE ALL FINGERS AND THUMBSto be very clumsyHe tried to put something in his pocket but couldnt manage because he was all fingers and thumbs.TO BE DOWN IN THE MOUTHto be depressedYoure looking down in the mouth today, Peter. Come on, cheer up! SKIN AND BONESto be very thinShe is all skin and bones, she needs to eat more.TO TURN A BLIND EYEnot to notice something deliberatelyShe saw them taking sweets from the shop but turned a blind eye.TO BITE ONES TONGUEto try really hard not to say what you really feelHe was solely responsible for this disaster, but I had to bite my tongue.TO GIVE SOMEONE A COLD SHOULDERto deliberately ignore someoneWhat have I done to her? She’s been giving me the cold shoulder all afternoon.TO HAVE ONES BACK TO THE WALLto be in a bad or dangerous situation from which there is no escapeHe  had his back to the wall, down 4 games to 5 and serving in the deciding set to stay in the match.  TO MAKE ONES BLOOD BOILwhen something makes someone very angryLittering makes my blood boil.TO HAVE A LUMP IN ONES THROATto feel very sad; to be on the verge of tearsI had a lump in my throat when I heard the news. Body Parts Idioms - Infographic Help others to find this. Share! A KNEES UPThis is very informal/slang and has a pleasant meaning. We use it to describe a good party or a sing-a-long with some friends when everyone lets their hair down and relaxes.We had a great knee’s up  over Christmas. Everyone was there and were in great spirits.CHANCE ONES ARMTry to do something although the chance of success may be slim, to take a risk, to try ones luck. This phrase first recorded in 1880s and back in the days it was mostly used as  a soldier’s term.Immediately after University I  chanced my arm  and opened up my first boutique.YOU SCRATCH MY BACK AND ILL SCRATCH YOURSYou offer to help someone on condition that this person will help you in return.Thanks for lending me your car, here are your keys. You scratch my back and Ill scratch yours, remember?GO BELLY UPWe usually use this phrase when were talking about a business or some project that was unsuccessful or went bankrupt.Some thought it was only a matter of time before the company  went belly up, but it somehow survived.THROW SOMEONE A BONETo praise someone or to reward someone in some way in order to make them feel good.In secondary school I had many teachers who threw me bone and let me pass a test.ALL EARSIf someone says Im all ears it means that they are ready and are very eager to listen to what you have to say.Sam was all ears when I began to talk about my holidays in Australia last year.There are many many more sayings and expressions in the English language which we will cover in the future. So if you have enjoyed this post and it helps you to learn more about English idioms then share it with a friend and check out our Skype English lessons prices. Break a Leg Meaning - Video Lesson And here is my video lesson about probably one of the strangest English idioms related to body parts BREAK A LEG. It is one of many cases when the real meaning of the idiom BREAK A LEG  is totally different from the individual words this idiom consists of. Watch my short video lesson and learn the history of BREAK A LEG  idiom and its real meaning.

?? Why Your Kids Need To Read More (And How To Encourage Them To Do It)

?? Why Your Kids Need To Read More (And How To Encourage Them To Do It) Why Your Kids Need To Read More (And How To Encourage Them To Do It) Recent research found that a third of U.S. teenagers aren’t reading for pleasure. It’s an awful statistic, but not a particularly surprising one.Kids today have unparalleled access to the internet, with social media feeds, Youtube videos, and games all vying for their attention. It’s no wonder they don’t find the time to pick up a good book.The reason we’re thinking about this is because July 31st marks Harry Potter’s birthday. The beloved boy who lived will turn 39 this year.And so we thought we’d explain some reasons why your kids should be reading more, and how to encourage them to pick up a book.The Benefits Of Reading Increased VocabularyCommunication is a crucial skill for your kids to develop. In a world dominated by text and instant messaging, finding the right words to say is more important than ever.Reading from a young age helps to expand your child’s vocabulary. This means they’ll be better able to communicate their thoughts, a skill which is invaluable in the workplace.A larger vocabulary also works wonders for your child’s self-confidence, as they learn to explore and understand the world around them.Improved CreativityAs robots continue to take more of our jobs, creativity is going to become one of the most useful traits for a person to have.Creativity helps you to innovate and dream up new ideas, and is a crucial component of problem-solving.Contrary to popular belief, everyone can learn to think creatively. A good way of developing creative thinking is through using your imagination.A good book prompts your child to use their imagination, as they visualise the fictional worlds an d characters in their heads.Harry Potter Fact #1: It’s estimated that somebody in the world starts reading the Harry Potter series every 30 seconds.Good For Mental Health75% of mental health conditions are established by the time a person first reaches adulthood. In other words, they develop when we’re kids.Two of the key factors that cause mental health issues in children are stress and anxiety. Childhood is a cocktail of peer pressure, self-esteem issues, and stressful exams.It’s no wonder that children are becoming increasingly ill.Tucking into a great book can work wonders for your child’s mental health. It allows them to escape from the real-world for a while, and can be incredibly calming.It’s EntertainingPutting aside all the health and life benefits for a second, perhaps the best thing about reading is that it’s fun.Once your kids get started with a book, they’ll immerse themselves in a new world. They’ll imagine everything playing out in front of them.It’s like a movie where your kids are the director. It can be exhilarating, funny, sad. It takes them on a rollercoaster ride.Reading is fun, and that should be reason enough to start.Harry Potter Fact #2: If it weren’t for 8-year-old Alice Newton, the daughter of the chair of Bloomsbury Publishing, loving the first book, Harry Potter would never have become such a phenomenon.How To Encourage Your Child To Read If your child doesn’t read much, those reasons above are unlikely to actually inspire them to pick up a book. They’re going to need a nudge in the right direction.Go To The LibraryA common barrier that prevents kids from reading is simply a lack of access to books. Luckily, there’s a tragically underrated source of books near you: The library.Libraries are great. They have all sorts of books, for all tastes and ages. The best part? Your child can access all of these books for free!Why not pop into your local library with your child? They could talk to the librarian about the kind of things they’re interested in. The librarian will be more than happy to provide some suggestions.A library has a magical feel to it, and if there’s a place where your child will fall in love with reading it’s going to be there.Read To Your ChildIf your child is reluctant to get started with a book, you should consider reading the first few pages or chapters to them.Reading aloud is more accessi ble for kids who are unsure about reading. It’s a great way to dip their feet into the water.You could stop at a crucial point in the story, where they’ll be dying to know what comes next. If they want to know, then they’ll have to read on themselves.Reading to your child is a good way of introducing them to reading on their own, and it’s a great way of spending quality time together.Harry Potter Fact #3: J.K. Rowling once explained that if she needed to tell her readers something, she would often have Hermione say it, because chances are she would’ve read it somewhere.Make Time For ReadingWhen there’s so much going on in your kids’ lives, it can be hard to find time for reading. That’s why you need to make time.It doesn’t need to be a long time; 15-20 minutes is enough. But it needs to be regular, and set in stone. You might even find that 20 minutes turns into 2 hours!To really hammer home the idea that this is a time for reading, you should read as well. Sit in a room together, put your gadgets away, and just read. That way you’ll get all the benefits too!In the grand scheme of things, half an hour of reading a day isn’t much. But the benefits it provides will last a lifetime.Create A Reading SpaceA great way of avoiding all of the distractions in the house â€" the TV, the Playstation, the iPad â€" is to have a dedicated reading space.A cosy, little reading nook transforms reading from another normal task into something a lot more special.Spend some time with your child designing the perfect space for them. Make it private, comfortable, and somewhere your child will want to spend time.A reading spot to call their own might just be the nudge your child needs to start reading.The First Chapter Establishing a love of reading in your kids could be the first chapter of an incredible story. It can make them more confident, less stressed, and help them develop the skills needed to thrive in the modern world.Why not start them off with Harry Potter?

QA Everything you need to know about teaching English to adults online

QA Everything you need to know about teaching English to adults online I was recently chatting with a friend who has been teaching adult ESL students for years. He lives in Ireland so the opportunities are limited and although he’s planning to teach abroad eventually, there are a few personal reasons why he needs to be in his home country for now. For years, he’s had to work to meet the demands in ESL schools in Ireland. A lot of these teaching positions are temporary, seasonal and part-time. I am sure this is the case for many ESL teachers who stay in their home country. He is CELTA qualified, has an MA in English and grammar is his first language. He is passionate about helping people learn English…the exact kind of person global English learners would be lucky to have. All this leaves him in an awkward position - there’s a global ESL market that needs someone with his skills. Yet, he can’t reach his students. He’s limited to students who turn up on his doorstep. And in an English-speaking country, that’s not as many as he needs to pay the bills. So what do you do when you can’t physically get to your ESL students? Like many other teachers, he’s taking advantage of the online teaching opportunities that are flooding the internet at the moment. I assumed this meant he was logging on at all hours of the night to teach Chinese kids basic vocabulary. This would be a pity. Not because that’s a bad job, but because he has been prepping adults for university education for years. He’s the guy you go to when you want to fine-tune your English skills. Teaching at a lower level could get boring fast for someone that can debate sentence structure at a level that leaves most native speakers flummoxed. The idea of him chanting the word banana with a grin slapped on his face seems wrong. But thankfully it’s not the case, he has managed to get a position teaching adults online in Europe. I knew these existed, but I didn’t really know the extent of the demand. Most online positions I’d seen online were kid-centric. A lot of elementary and middle school level basic English. But his position sounded like a dream. He was kind enough to answer a few questions about his role tteaching adults ESL online. Interview with an online ESL teacher for adults What were the requirements for teaching adults ESL online? I needed ahigh-level TEFL qualification, I think CELTA is required. To apply again, I'd just focus on my knowledge of grammar and language, and I'd put emphasis on interpersonal skills. What hours do you teach? My hours are basically whatever I like! I generally put my availability between 8 am and 10 pm, 5 - 7 days a week, as I find it's best to cast a wide net. I teach adults online during European hours, so there’s no need to be a night owl. The most actual teaching time I've put in for a single day was 8 hours (or 16) classes. How flexible is teaching adults online and do you have to work a minimum number of hours? The hours are actually super flexible and I can teach the hours I want. I tend towards full-time working hours just because that suits me best. But I'm under no pressure to teach any minimum number of online teaching sessions. Because I can set my own availability it means I can always take a few hours in the middle of the day to go to the bank, the doctor, catch up with a friend that’s only in town for a few hours. I can work around my life, rather than live around my work! Which company do you work for? I teach for Fluentify, an Italian company that teaches both private individuals and offers packages to companies for their employees. Are your students always adults? I've taught a few teenagers, but the majority of students on the platform are adults. It’s more conversation-based learning, so the students tend to be high level enough and I work with them individually on their personal problem areas. What nationality are your adult online students? The vast majority of my Fluentify students are Italian, but I've also taught Japanese and French students on the site. As you’ve taught online and in the classroom, can you tell me which one you prefer? I don't currently teach in the classroom because I prefer the flexibility of the website at the moment. I don't know if it's better than teaching in the classroom. It's certainly different. It requires more focus for the entirety of the session, but can also be less demanding with just one student at a time. What salary do you make teaching ESL to adults online? The salary is currently better than the going rate in a language school in Ireland. I'm currently on two different rates. Teaching business professionals pays 11 euro for a 30 minute session while teaching private students pays 9.50 for a 30 minute session. The private sessions paid less when I started as a new tutor, I think it was 7 or 7.50, but I got a raise as I progressed. The majority of my sessions these days are the private ones. What problems have you encountered teaching English to adults online? As far as tech goes, it’s all been straightforward enough. I've really only had one problem student online. He got super clingy and started sending me messages demanding my attention and needing more from me, while taking none of my advice and apparently not realising that I had other students and priorities. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. Where can you find online ESL jobs teaching adults? After hearing about his experiences teaching adults online, I couldn’t help myself, I needed to know more. The salary was good and the hours were sociable and flexible. What more could an online tutor want? I know that at Teach Away we hire adult online ESL teachers, but I wasn’t sure how many other companies offered that flexibility. It turns out you can pretty much find an online ESL role to fit your needs - all you’ve got to do is a little bit (okay, a lot) of Googling. To save you scouring the internet, I’ve put together a list of companies hiring ESL online teachers for adults. Online ESL companies catering to adults Company Hourly salary (USD) Minimum hours Timezone Requirements iTutorGroup $18 - 26 No minimum Worldwide - 1 year of teaching experience - BA degree - TEFL/CELTA ABC International Group $18 - 25 12 hours/week Not stated Lingo Live Varies depending on your location 15 hours/week Worldwide - Native English speaker - 3 years of classroom experience Fluentify $8 - 15 No minimum Worldwide - BA degree - CELTA preferred (or recognized TEFL) eBerlitz $14 - 15 No minimum Worldwide - Native English speaker EnglishTutorOnline Varies depending on your location No minimum Worldwide - BA degree - TEFL/CELTA - Native English speaker - Some teaching experience SkyLearn Varies depending on your location 8 hours/day Europe (mainly Spain) - BA degree - TESL certificate Break Into English $14 - 16 2 hours/week Worldwide - BA degree - North American accent Novo English $10 - 20 No minimum Europe (mainly France) - BA degree - North American accent Educastream $11 - 13 No minimum Europe (mainly France) - UK-based native English speakers - Some teaching experience FluentBe $10 No minimum Poland - Native English speaker - Some teaching experience 51Talk $22 33.5 hours/week Asia - BA degree - TEFL/CELTA - Some teaching experience Koolearn $950 - 1,250/month Not stated Asia - BA degree - TEFL/CELTA First Future $12 - 20 No minimum China - BA degree - TEFL/CELTA or teaching experience New Vision Learning Services $14 - 22 Looks to be full-time Asia - BA degree - TEFL/CELTA DMA1on1 $8 - 9 Fixed Taiwan - BA degree - TEFL/CELTA - ESL teaching experience (preferred) Hiknow $3 - 4 Part-time China Not stated A Top Class $10 - 11 No minimum China Not stated Likeshuo $16 - 26 20 hours/week China - BA degree - Native English speaker - Experience teaching adults ESL Tutoring $4 No minimum Korea - BA degree - 2 years of teaching experience NIL English $10 - 15 10 hours/week Korea - BA/associate’s degree - TEFL/CELTA - Native North American accent Kampus World $10 - 15 No minimum Worldwide - BA degree - TEFL/CELTA - 3 years of experience teaching adults