How To Explore College Dining

How To Explore College Dining As high school seniors explore colleges this fall, one thing they should remember to investigate is the universitys dining facilities. The college dining halls will be one of the biggest differences from life at home. However, different does not always live up to its awful connotation. Dining halls are not exactly filled with retired chefs and grandmas who love you, and sometimes the food is not good. However, it is part of the college experience, and it is something you will be able to overlook. Food allergies can be an issue in the dining halls. Essentially, you will not know what is possibly in whatever they may be making; so tell the workers your allergies because they will know. That is one of the most important aspects to remember about the dining halls. Dining halls also offer many options for food. Dining halls will most likely have a fresh salad and fruit bar and a deli. Your dining hall should offer options for vegetarians. Also, dining halls will likely have hamburgesr, hot dogs, and chicken fingers for more options. However, the main course of dining halls will expand your culinary knowledge. Most of the items will cease to exist on menus at normal restaurants, and at times they may even be difficult to pronounce. However, its a chance to try new food for no additional cost. Think of your dining hall as a cheap buffet. With that many choices youre bound to like something every night. Quantity is a big positive at the dining halls. There is virtually no limit to the amount of food you can eat. Your college may have multiple dining halls with different menus every night, enhancing the options available. Some dining halls even specialize in vegetarian food, healthy food, fast food, fish, etc. A lot of schools also offer options with meal plans. Some schools allow students to use meal plans in markets to buy groceries, others offer food you can pick up, others allow students to use the meals in affiliated restaurants, etc. Most schools offer different types of meal plans in terms of how many meals a week and extra options. You should research your schools meal plans thoroughly before buying one. Beverages are one of the dining halls strong points. They will have enough juices and sodas available everyday to make your dentist squeal, or keep them all employed during the recession. And you can even grab three or four sodas at once if you want to. Also, the salad and fruit bars are well maintained at dining halls. Most dining halls offer breakfast, lunch and dinner and are open seven days a week. However, some are closed on weekends. The best part about the dining hall is not doing dishes, unless you work there. You simply eat your food, and put your tray into the kitchen; then you can return to your studies or socializing. A regular trip to the dining hall takes anywhere from 20-60 minutes, depending on how crowded it is, and how much you want to eat.

4 Communication Styles How They Impact the Workplace - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 4 Communication Styles How They Impact the Workplace - Introvert Whisperer 4 Communication Styles How They Impact the Workplace Effective communication is the key to a successful work environment. In an age where businesses continue to fail due to rising numbers of disgruntled employees, communication methods matter now more than ever. In fact, experts at Villanova University state that “About 52 percent of American workers aren’t engaged, with 18 percent of American workers being actively disengaged. Only a paltry 30 percent of American workers can say that they feel engaged, inspired, and useful at work.” Utilizing appropriate communication styles is one of the best ways to raise employee engagement, lower workplace stress, and boost overall productivity. Unfortunately, picking the right communication style for you and your employees can be a difficult task. All employees are different â€" ranging from introverted to extroverted or somewhere in between â€" and so it stands to reason that their communication preferences will differ significantly. This can be especially true in regards to introverts, who are often uncomfortable verbalizing their personal communication needs, and so their communication styles are not as well known. Without the appropriate knowledge, dealing with a communication style different from your own can be like trying to speak with an alien species. Here, we will cover four communication styles and their respective impacts on the workplace. According to a recent report by The Economist Intelligence Unit and Lucidchart that covers research by Mark Murphy, there are four different types of communication styles: Analytical, Intuitive, Personal and Functional. While there are always exceptions, an introvert’s communication style can broadly fit under the labels of either Personal or Functional or even a mix of both. Knowledge in regards to these styles not only helps introverts to communicate effectively with one another, but is also useful for introverts and extroverts to communicate with each other. The Analytical Communication Style Analytical communicators love hard data and facts, with a strong preference for clear and precise language. In general, they are put off by people who use vague language and often lose interest when conversations move away from rationality. An example Murphy gives is of being in a meeting and hearing feedback that sales are positive. In this case, an analytical communicator would instantly wonder, “What does positive mean?” and request an actual statistic or figure to indicate the positive sales. One of the major advantages of this style of communication is that it can speed things up in the workplace, due to the rather unemotional and mainly logical nature of analytical communication. On the other hand, this style of communication can unintentionally come across as cold and abrupt, allowing for certain types of people, like introverts, to be taken aback. For this type of communication, it is best to provide as much detail as possible form the very beginning. The Intuitive Communication Style Intuitive communication is a style that significantly differs from analytical communication. As opposed to details and data, intuitive communicators tend to lean towards the bigger picture. They give more importance to broad overviews and don’t like being bogged down with specifics. Rather than focusing on a linear set of instructions, intuitive communicators prefer to skip directly to the key points. Even though this style of communication does not favor nuance, it can promote creative out-of-the-box thinking. Intuitive communicators also are quick to provide answers, keeping the larger picture in mind. The Personal Communication Style The personal communicator is one who values relationships and emotional language above all else. They tend to be better listeners than talkers and see communication as a way to build a few strong relationships with people. Many introverts prefer a personal communication style, as opposed to more hard-line stances. In Susan Cain’s bestseller, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking,” introverts are defined as those who “have a preference for a quiet, more minimally stimulating environment. Introverts tend to enjoy quiet concentration, listen more than they talk, and think before they speak, and have a more prudent and cautious approach to risk. Introverts think more, are less reckless and focus on what mattersâ€"relationships and meaningful work.” Here, we can see some overlaps with the personal style of communication. Communicators who fit within this category often value time alone to reflect to quietly reflect and organize their thoughts before speaking. Many also prefer to communicate via email, so as to present their thoughts in a more formulated manner. While these characteristics are especially valuable for B2B and B2C outreach, as well as internal communication, it’s important to ensure that those who prefer verbal communication should be adequately courteous in their digital communications. A personal style also offers increased diplomacy and can lead to true vested interests for the tasks at hand. However, this style can also quickly veer off into one-on-one conversations about more emotional matters, leaving those who prefer other communication styles quite frustrated. The Functional Communication Style Functional communicators are those who focus on and thoroughly enjoy processes. They like to think plans through step-by-step, and often want to go over every detail from start to finish so as to not miss out on any information. Some introverts also gravitate towards this communication style. For instance, in a previous article on what introverts can teach you about success, we mention that “An introvert has a tendency to stay with a goal until completion. They can begin with an idea, flesh it out, and follow it to completion with no problem.” These qualities make functional communicators well suited to be leaders and guides, as they are completely aware of every step within a given chain of process. On the other hand, functional communicators are often seen as boring and aggravating, due to their tendency to purposefully go through every single task in its entirety. Putting Your Knowledge to Work Now that you’re broadly aware of the four styles of communication, you can choose how to implement your favored types of communication within your workplace. Depending on the needs of your workplace, you could be a communication pioneer who aims for innovation in communication practices within your organization; a communication veteran, who combines experience and strives to stay ahead of the competition; or a communication coach, who changes an organization by leading employees and management to more effective communication. Regardless of your role, it is vital to pay attention to how your employees naturally communicate. Doing so will give you the necessary insight to categorize different types of communication and then streamline communication procedures so that information is effectively disseminated and absorbed. Finally, you need to give employees the tools and training they need to communicate across various styles, as no two employees are the same. Remember, it is only through creating an open and inclusive environment where employees can freely communicate that your organization will be posed for success. AUTHOR BIO: Frankie Wallace  is a writer from Boise, Idaho who contributes to a wide variety of blogs online. Wallace is a graduate from the University of Montana and enjoys writing about career development and job searching. Source: Pixabay Go to top Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Travel English Ireland

Travel English Ireland Up For a Jar Down the Local? A Guide to Understanding English Spoken in Ireland with help from U2. We might feel a certain affinity with Ireland because we enjoy St. Patrick’s Day and the music of U2. However, the English spoken in Ireland is particularly confusing for non-native speakers because it has many terms and phrases taken from Gaeilge, Ireland’s own native language. Here is a brief vocabulary guide to help you out when you visit Ireland.Food and Drink A drink is called a “jar.”A public house is called a “pub” or “the local.”If someone is inviting you for a drink in a public house you might hear “Are you up for a jar down the local.”Slainte is an Irish word used when you drink. It means “to your health.”Cookies are called “biscuits.”A place where you buy fish and chips is called a “chipper.”A soft drink is called a “fizzy” drink or a “mineral.”Sports clothing is called a “tracksuit.”A cup of tea might be called a “cup of scald.†A glass of beer is called a “pint.”If someone is drunk you might hear “plastered” or “langers,” pissed or “locked.”A liquor store is called an “Off Licence.”A carry-out restaurant is called a “take away.”A slice of bacon is called a “rasher.”Social If someone wants to welcome you they might say “cead mile failte” which translated from the Irish language means “a hundred thousand welcomes.”If someone is asking you how you are they might say “what’s the craic?”If someone wants to say thank you they say “cheers” or “thanks a million.”When someone is going home they say “I’m heading off now.”When going to bed they say “Im  ready to  hit the hay.”If it’s raining you might hear “It’s a soft old day.”If someone is inviting you to sit down you’ll here “take the weight off your legs.”When referring to a person whose name they cannot remember they will  call them “yer man” or “yer woman.”If you are blocking the television, you will here “you’re in my light.”If something is fun, it is a “blast.”If something is great, it might be called “savage.”If someone did something considered stupid they might be called a “muppet.”Clothes A clothes closet is called a “wardrobe.”Sports shoes are called “runners.”Hair bangs is called a “fringe.”Trousers are called “pants.”An overcoat is called an “anorak.”Random Mouth is called “gob.” Close your mouth is “shut your gob.”A drugstore is called a “pharmacy.”The garbage is called a “dustbin.”The side of the road or pavement is called the “footpath.”An argument is called a “row.”If someone is very angry they might say “he/she had a conniption.”A strange person might be called “quare.”Getting angry is called “giving out.”A clever person might be called “cute.”A dangerous person or place is called “dodgy.”Someone from Dublin might be called a “Dub.”Someone from outside of Dubl in might be called a “culchie” meaning a hillbilly.A bathroom might be called “the jacks.”Any unspecified object could be called a “yoke.”How was that? Difficult? Don’t worry. As soon as you arrive you’ll start to pick up all the local words or lingo. Speaking of locals, here is a tune from Ireland’s most famous band, U2 with Where The Streets Have No Name.Get travel English classes for especially for Ireland or anywhere else you need to go.

Pen Pals

Pen Pals Do you have a pen pal? Have you ever had a pen pal? Probably not. Writing to a an anonymous correspondent used to be a popular hobby. Not anymore. It has fallen out of favour these days as people spend more and more time on social media websites. Perhaps, you don’t even know what a pen pal is and why it became as popular as it did. What is a Pen Pal? A pen pal is a person with whom one exchanges letters on a regular basis. Pen pals usually begin as strangers who live far away in a foreign country, making face-to-face meetings impossible or unlikely. People start exchanging messages with strangers for a range of reasons. The most common reason is to practice reading and writing using a foreign language. As such, people exchange letters to get meaningful practice in a language they are trying to learn or trying not to forget. In the process, correspondents learn about each other’s life and culture, often sharing personal details about themselves. Snail Mail It is worth noting at this point that whereas individuals can keep in touch with each other using email or an instant messaging application, many prefer to use snail-mail. There is something satisfying about seeing your name handwritten on an envelope. Using the postal service makes it possible to trade postcards, photos, stickers, birthday cards, drawings, and collectible stamps through the mail. Nevertheless, there are a number of websites that offer safe, structured, online pen pal exchanges for those who want to correspond with others over the internet. The Benefits of Being a Pen Pal Pen pal writing is beneficial in several ways. Foremost, it allows people to have a different outlook on the world. They can learn how people from different cultures approach questions of housing, schooling, food, exercise, healthcare, technology, travel, and entertainment, among other things. By sharing the ordinary details of their lives with others, correspondents often create long-lasting friendships. Given the fact that pen pals interact with a person they are unlikely to meet, they quickly open up and divulge intimate details about themselves. Not only do pen pals not only create a trusting friendship, but they also promote greater mental health. After all, it is by sharing our secrets that we discover that we are not alone and that all our secrets are basically the same. Furthermore, pen pal writing does away with the prejudices about people from different cultures. It creates a sense of social cohesion across borders and languages, and it creates tolerance through openness and respect. Many pals benefit from creating a written record of their memories, enjoying a chance for deep reflection about their lives, and the opportunity to develop their writing skills in the process. It is an enjoyable writing activity. It is social in nature, unlike other forms of writing such as essay writing or keeping a diary. The Dangers Despite the many benefits of pen pal writing, there can be disappointments and risks. The first one is that it can be frustrating to wait for a response from a correspondent. Some letters take a while before they are delivered, creating a sense of impatience and disappointment. Furthermore, the responses you receive may not always be friendly. In rare cases, a correspondent can take advantage of the anonymity of the exchange and write insulting attacks on certain sexual orientations, cultures, and lifestyles. Personal details revealed by the writer can be shared with other people, which can in turn create security issues. This is particularly true in the contemporary world, in which identity theft and other criminal acts are on the rise. Social insurance numbers, banking information, credit card numbers, and passwords should never be shared with pen pals. Regardless of the need for some caution, pen pal writing is a fun and enjoyable activity. It allows people to interact, learn, and grow. If you would like to find an online pen pal and exchange with people safely while improving your language skills, visit VirtualWritingTutor.com. Membership is free, and there are people who are eager to meet you from all over the planet. More on the topic Start an Exchange project for students  on the Virtual Writing Tutor. For instructions on how to create an exchange for your students, check out these step-by-step pen pal exchange creation instructions for teachers.Learn about the pedagogical value of letter writing exchanges here.Click here for an article on pen pals that students can read to introduce them to the concept. Get free postcards and start a postcard exchange Please follow and like us:

School performance 2011 - The truth!

School performance 2011 - The truth! Last week, the Department for Education published data on more than 3,300 secondary schools' GCSE and A-Level exam results. Now parents have more information than ever about how their child's school is performing, this is an increase of data of 400 per cent than in 2010. Performance tables for 2011 now include: level of performance of disadvantaged children. if pupils with high, middle and low achieving results continue to make progress. how many pupils entered into the core academic subjects that make up the EBacc. Sadly, the 2011 GCSE results reveal that hundreds of secondary schools are failing to help pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve their full potential. Children on free school meals or in local authority care are approximately half as likely to achieve the national benchmark of five A* -C grade GCSEs including English and maths compared to their peers. Nationally, only one in 25 disadvantaged pupils managed to secure good grades in a combination of English, maths, languages, history or geography, and two sciences. This compares to the national average of nearly one in six. For the first time, the tables highlight how pupils have progressed since they left primary school. This year's statistics show that thousands of previously high achieving pupils are being failed by their secondary school: 8.600 pupils, 4.9 per cent, who were excelling at the end of primary school, then failed to gain five A* -C grade including English and maths. 45.6 per cent of pupils, some 120,000, who were at Level 4 at Key Stage 2 failed to make the expected amount of progress, to five A*-C grades including English and maths, at secondary school. There are now 107 secondary schools below the national minimum standard. A secondary school is below the floor standard if: fewer than 35 per cent of pupils achieve the basics standard of five A* to C grade GCSEs including English and maths. fewer pupils make good progress in English between KS2 and KS4 than the national average. fewer pupils make good progress in maths between KS2 and KS4 than the national average. Find out how your child's school performs here. If you feel that your child may need some extra help, consider finding a private tutor. We have hundreds of testimonials that prove that private tuition really does help improve grades.

AP Classes for Seniors Avoiding Common Mistakes

AP Classes for Seniors Avoiding Common Mistakes Tips From an Irvine AP Test Prep Tutor: AP Classes for Seniors: Avoiding Common Mistakes Most college-bound seniors will take at least one, if not multiple, AP classes during their senior year in high school. However, its easy to let test prep and studying slip once students have received college acceptances. Some colleges will still take students who don’t receive the AP test score they were expecting while others may be denied a conditional acceptance. Either way, its important that Advanced Placement seniors utilize tips and tricks for staying on task so that they can get a 4 or 5 on the test and receive college credit the next year. It would be a shame to have to take US History and English 101 all over again when a student has already taken these courses in high school. However, without at least a 3 on the AP exam, the class won’t count for college credit at all -make sure you book your Irvine AP test prep tutor today. 1.  Create a study timeline AP exams are about three weeks away and, hopefully, students have already been studying for the last six weeks or so. High school seniors may be familiar with test prep techniques if they took AP classes sophomore and junior year, however, they still need to study content and work on general review at the very least. Because many seniors suffer from senioritis, its important to create a timeline of study to help stay on track to earning a good score on the AP exams mid May (READ: Grades and AP Class). 2. Work with your private Irvine test prep tutor Students who feel that they are falling by the wayside with their AP studies are encouraged to get in touch with their tutor. Its important to remember that tutors can serve more than one purpose. They can help with educational content and study but they can also serve as organizational consultants. If a student has lost touch with their Orange County private tutor over the past few months, speaking with him or her about organization, even for one or two hours, can help an otherwise smart and responsible student stay on track while suffering from the notorious effects of senioritis (READ: 3 Warning Signs of Senioritis). 3. Talk with your classroom teacher Classroom teachers are intimately familiar with the negative effects of senioritis. Teachers will know the signs and will know what can happen to students if they dont stay on track through to AP exams. Most classroom teachers are more than happy to speak to students after class or briefly after school if they have questions. If a student is honest and upfront with their teacher that their studies are falling behind, the teacher can help them look at tried-and-true methods of continuing to effectively study for AP exams. Additionally, classroom teachers have likely worked with the same group of students off and on for the past two or three years. This means that they will be able to easily identify a particular student’s study habits and will likely already know their strengths and weaknesses. AP classroom teachers are fabulous resources for extra help but the majority of students forget that they are available. Remember, teachers are there to help students succeed. 4. Talk with mom and dad Although many high school seniors want to be entirely independent from their parents at this point in their academic career, mom and dad are a great resource. They know their children’s study habits and what they are capable of academically. It’s a good idea to talk with mom and dad about how important current academic goals are as well as their current level of fatigue. Mom and dad can serve as an in-house organizational consultant 24/7. Although many students feel that they should be able to do everything on their own and be a superstar student, its essential to remember that parents have most likely been in a similar situation when they were 17 and that they can be a big help when it comes to staying on track, arranging for a tutor or study group, and helping their child complete the necessary study for AP exams (READ: Tutoring and Test Scores: Assessing Improvement). In short? Although its very tempting to take a casual attitude towards AP exams during senior year of high school, taking an AP class will have been a waste if the student doesnt score at least a 3 on the exam. Temptation aside, its much better to spend two months working on test prep now than two semesters retaking classes freshman year of college. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about.

Jobs in Private International Schools in China

Jobs in Private International Schools in China Teach Away has positions beginning immediately in Harbin, China! This international private school is seeking experienced high-school chemistry and math teachers. Teachers will work with UK curriculum and must have at least 5 years of experience with A-Level teaching.Job Details and BenefitsAccommodation providedSalary of USD $2500-2900/monthBonus of RMB 10,000 after one yearHealth care provided after one yearPlease follow the links below to the original job postings, which list full job details, benefits, and requirements:High school chemistry teacherHigh school math teacherRequirementsBachelor's degree in the relevant subject area (chemistry or math)5 years' experience teaching A-Levels in the relevant subject areaAvailable for immediate start dateCulturally adaptableApplyInterested candidates should apply online with Teach Away. If you have already applied with Teach Away and would like to express your interest in these positions, please email janette@teachaway.com directly.