How to reach an unprecedented level of confidence - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to reach an unprecedented level of confidence - Introvert Whisperer How to reach an unprecedented level of confidence? Guest Author September 18, 2019 Adaptability, Communication, Dealing with Fear One response “Don’t you dare, for one more second, surround yourself with people who are not aware of the greatness that you are.”  Jo Blackwell-Preston Before starting with this blog, stop for a moment, and accept the fact that you are indeed an awesome being. Indeed, you often find your self-confidence dwindling in the face of challenges. And an inner critic forces you to visualize the failure. It makes you all set to give up. But don’t! Learn how to fight back. Speaking on a general note, we find that there are many people out there who do not have enough confidence to fight life challenges. Such individuals can be of varying age groups. However, they all have one fundamental issue â€"an uncanny level of doubts. Some of these are self-structured while others seep in through external factors. It is essential to understand that lack of confidence isn’t a genetic problem. Nor do you have to rely on others to uplift your tenacity. In fact, you can take charge of things and take concrete actions to improve your reputation, self-esteem, and competence. The only question is how determined you are? Bandura (1990) proposes that there are motivational programs that follow the goal-setting theory and attribution theory. The target of all these programs is the same. That is, help individuals overcome deflated levels of confidence. Without further ado, let’s have a look into some incredible ways that will help you reach a healthy level of confidence: Do not compare yourself with others As social media crawls into our life, its taking a toll on our mental health. You cannot ignore checking out what others are upto.   Those charming pictures and elite restaurant check-ins tend to tempt you to the core. This triggers you to compare your life with them. And upon discovering that you cant afford a lifestyle like that, you feel envious. A 2018 study published in Personality and Individual Differences demonstrated a direct relation between envy and the way an individual feels about themselves. The more you start comparing your life with others out of jealousy, the more you lose your self-esteem. So next time, you are drawing comparisons, take a break. Remind yourself that everyone has their struggles and life isn’t a piece of cake for all. Get things done Your achievements are the most significant source of confidence. Visualize a target and race towards it. Pledge to change the perception of self and overcome all the roadblocks that might create hindrances. For instance: You set a goal of doing Executive MBA from Florida, or doing some short course, but you get skeptical after thinking of a plethora of hurdles that are to come by. When such thoughts come to your mind, bid them farewell. You need to understand that the only thing that limits you is your own “negative thought.” Once you set a goal, start taking steps and keep moving. Authors Katy Kay and Claire Shipman, in their book The Confidence Code, provide extensive research on how people can increase their confidence. They summarize their findings in the following statement: “And so, fortunately, a substantial part of the confidence code is what psychologists call  volitional: our choice. With diligent effort, we can all choose to expand our confidence. But we will get there if we stop trying to be perfect and start being prepared to fail.” Therefore, we recommend you to start by setting small goals. Set a time limit and try to achieve them. Eventually, you can move on to bigger, more meaningful goals. It is all about how you train yourself â€" practice confidence-boosting activities. Read How to Build Self-Confidence to know the steps you should take. Think positively about yourself Once you tick off the second pointer of our list, it’s now time to pat yourself on the back. Succeeding through obstacles is an incredible confidence booster. Most of the time, when you are feeling low, it is because of your inner critic. It keeps bashing you and preaches you doubt self. Consequently, you start believing yourself as more economical than others. Psychologists provide a whole list of things you can do to enhance self-compassion. These bring an optimistic impact on your overall personality. Besides, a 2009 study published in the Journal of Psychology provides an experiment that self-compassion contributes to more consistent confidence. So get into the habit of complimenting yourself when the need be. As Mark Twain puts it “[A] man cannot be comfortable without his approval.” Prepare yourself Whether you work as a part-time manager in a start-up, or you are a part of a corporate chain, you must know about your field. The fact that you want to progress should compel you to learn everything about your position. Have a list of goals that you want to achieve. Make strategies on how you are going to do that. As Denis Waitley states: “To establish true self-confidence, we must concentrate on our successes and forget about the failures and the negatives in our lives.” So sit down and make a list of what you aim to achieve in your career. Prepare your mind for that. Confidence in your capabilities will speed up the process of achieving those milestones. Change your body image Your posture, eye contact, facial expressions, and speech combine to deliver what you are trying to convey. Every time you put your shoulders down and stammer while speaking to others, it’s evident that you have little or no confidence in self. Buck up yourself and learn how to talk with confidence. Research proves that people who take time to speak slowly have higher self-confidence and appear confident to others too. Perhaps, the aura and physique of those around you make you feel less. If that’s the case, start with a self-care program. Start taking care of your body. Go an extra mile and give essential thought to how you appear each day. Next, stop abusing your body. Make sure that you involve in some physical activity. Exercise can be the ultimate confidence booster. A 2016 study in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment reveals that regular physical activity improves self-confidence. When people find themselves fit and in shape, they are ready to take challenges head-on. Final Thoughts Confidence is all about changing your mind. However, one must have an adequate level of confidence. If it exceeds beyond the limit, there can be opposing consequences. Like you might start feeling others being inferior to you. That, again, is a problem in itself. Find some life rules and live by them. Now the next time, your inner critic or those around you try to steal your thunder, stand tall. Prove how you have all the power to change the game. Source Author Bio:

Hindi Lessons in London

Hindi Lessons in London Learn Hindi in London with these Top Hindi Classes ChaptersFirstly, a Bit about HindiLearn Hindi in LondonForget the European languages that you learn at school. As the centre of the global political order moves ever further eastward, the languages that will become increasingly important are not the classic favourites of English learners of a second language â€" Italian and French, say. Rather, they are much more likely to be Hindi, Mandarin, and Urdu.Hindi is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It has over six hundred million speakers â€" more than Spanish and more than French. In fact, nearly more than both of them put together.Alongside English, Hindi is one of the official languages of India â€" whilst it is used more commonly in official documents â€" and it operates as a lingua franca across the whole of the Indian subcontinent.Honestly, it is a hugely important language, for business, trade, and diplomacy. And whilst many Indians speak English, eighty-five percent of them do not. Put this alongside the fact t hat it is one of the fastest growing languages online, and its importance seems to grow and grow and grow.However, it’s not all about business. Rather, learning Hindi can open up a world of new opportunities, relationships, and experiences â€" as well as a much deeper knowledge of your own language.So, to the question, ‘why learn Hindi?’, the most appropriate answer is ‘why not?’. Learning different languages is one of the best things that you can do. And, if Spanish or French don’t do it for you, maybe Hindi will be the best option out there.Let’s see how you can give it a try. Here are the best places to develop your Hindi language skills in London.You can check out Hindi lessons across the UK too! GiusyHindi Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnchalHindi Teacher 5.00 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NehaHindi Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AkshayaHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Disco ver all our tutors SuhaniHindi Teacher 5.00 (4) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MedhaHindi Teacher 5.00 (2) £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PriyankaHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaurabhHindi Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsFirstly, a Bit about HindiWe said before that learning Hindi is not like learning a European language. As you may well have noticed, the Hindi script is different, its historical roots are quite distinct, and its pronunciation is something that you’ll have to get your head around.Hindi derives from the Indo-Aryan language group, variations of which are spoken by nearly a billion across Asia. It comes from Vedic Sanskrit and developed into a distinct language some time around the seventh century.Whilst the official form that is spoken in India developed from the dialect that came out of Delhi, many of the different dialects are mutually intelligible. Importantly, the same apples to U rdu â€" spoken in Pakistan and parts of India â€" which comes from the Hindustani language from which standard Hindi also derives.As you’ll see, some place in London offer opportunities for you to study Hindi and Urdu together. Whilst these are mutually intelligible when spoken, the alphabet â€" and religious connotations â€" differ: Hindi is written in Devanagari, which comes from the Sanskrit, whilst Urdu is written in the Persian alphabet.Hindi is also spoken in parts of the Caribbean, in Fiji, and in different forms across India.Check out Hindi lessons in Manchester too!Travelling to India? Learn Hindi!Learn Hindi in LondonWithout any further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best places to learn the Hindi language in London. You’ll well know that this city is a place full of opportunity â€" and this applies just as well to the study of languages.From degrees to evening classes, private tutors to social study, there’s a learning method to suit any preference, mindset , or desire.Enrol in Hindi Classes at City Lit LondonCity Lit is one of the best destinations for adult education in London, with sixty thousand people attending a course there each year. From languages to chess, digital marketing to the history of philosophy, City Lit offers courses to suit literally everyone.At the time of writing, City Lit offers thirteen different courses in the study of Hindi â€" for those who are complete beginners to those who want to bring together the studies of language and culture.They run on all days of the week across lots of different locations in London.Check out Hindi lessons in Leeds!Take a Course in Hindi at the SOAS Language CentreSOAS, or the School of Oriental and African Studies, is one of London’s most prestigious educational institutions â€" focusing its attention, as you can imagine, on the culture, politics, and languages of Asia and Africa.In this, it offers courses in what it calls Less Widely Taught languages â€" in which Hindi is incl uded.Across fifteen weeks, you can take a beginner course that will involve the study of parts of speech, phonetic aspects of Hindi, and using your language skills in concrete situations â€" like purchasing things or expressing an opinion.Join an Evening Class in Hindi with CactusBased in Brighton, but with centres in eleven other cities across the country â€" including London, obviously â€" Cactus are one of the biggest providers of language instruction in the UK.With courses starting at four times across the year, Cactus provides Hindi tuition for beginners across a ten-week programme.Take a free proficiency test and then head to the centre in Russell Square. (By the way, they offer plenty of deals and discounts on their courses â€" so book when the time is right!).Try Hindi classes in Glasgow!Find a Private Hindi Tutor with SuperprofWith millions of tutors across the world, Superprof is without doubt one of the best places to find one-to-one tuition on the planet â€" let alone in London.In London alone, we have over fifty private Hindi tutors â€" who are able to come to teach you at your home or else in an agreed convenient place.One-to-one tuition is one of the best ways to learn a language, as it provides dedicated time for you to speak about what interests you and what you are struggling with. And our tutors are committed to getting you speaking.Learn Hindi Online with Magic of IndiaIf you fancy learning Hindi from the comfort of your own home, check out Magic of India, a provider of online Hindi lessons â€" as well as face-to-face Hindi lessons in north London.They also provide educational sessions on Hindu culture â€" and they organise parties for different occasions including Soli and Diwali.Their online Hindi courses are available for under three pounds a month â€" and will take you through the basics of learning Hindi.Take a Degree in Hindi at SOAS or King’s CollegeWe mentioned SOAS above. Yet, alongside their casual adult classes in Hindi, they o ffer postgraduate degrees in the language too â€" as well as modules in many of their undergraduate programmes in Hindi.King’s College â€" we’re sure you’ve heard of this one too â€" offer a similar array of courses in this official language of India for those who are serious about their language learning.Check them both out if total fluency is what you are looking for in your Hindi.Check out Hindi classes in Birmingham!London is a great place to learn Hindi!Learn to Speak Hindi at Hindi JunctionHindi Junction is a Hindi tutoring company just down the road from Charing Cross station. It is run by Geeta, a native speaker with heaps of tutoring experience as well as plenty of qualifications to boot.Whilst many providers of Hindi classes offer lessons for beginners primarily, Hindi Junction can take you right up to an advanced level â€" whether you are a child or an adult.This is a comprehensive education in a really convenient central location.Practice Your Hindi with the Hindi- Urdu MeetUp GroupYou’ve probably heard about conversational classes before. Yet, with the power of the internet, the ways these work and are organised has changed hugely.MeetUp is a platform that allows groups to set up their own social events online. And one of the best ways that this has been used is to organise conversational language classes.The Hindu-Urdu MeetUp group meet every other Thursday to practice speaking. Remember that these two languages are mutually intelligible â€" so it is dead convenient to practice both!Adults, Head to the Mary Ward Centre to Learn HindiThe Mary Ward Centre in Queen Square is another adult learning centre in central London. And they too have a hugely broad selection of different subjects and courses to offer.All of their Hindi courses take place in two different slots during the week â€" so that you can pick which is most convenient for you. Meanwhile, with nine different Hindi courses, you’re free to choose that which best matches your leve l!Get Training in Business Hindi at CommunicaidWe said that Hindi is an increasingly important language for business. And, if this is something that your organisation might benefit from, Communicaid provides business language training either in central London or in your business’s properties themselves.You’ll practice your speaking skills, as well as your listening, email-writing, and presentation and negotiation skills. In fact, you’ll learn all you need to know to succeed in business in Hindi!Do you want to take Hindi lessons?

The 5 Tips To Choose The Best One On One Math Tutoring Service

The 5 Tips To Choose The Best One On One Math Tutoring Service Tackling your kid’s Math anxieties is the hardest job on earth but it can be made easy, if you resort to help and guidance from valuable sources. When in-person tutoring has gone out of focus, one on one tutoring through online medium is the best fit for your kid. How to find the best fit for your kid in Math tutoring? Here are 5 tips: Find out a person who is devoted to Math: There are many online tutors in the field who advertise their skills in handling Math topics. Along with, they are interested in handling other subjects also. It would be good if you can choose one who is strictly committed to Math and is specialized in Math areas. Such a math tutoring can throw away any challenge provided to him in tough and complicated Math problems. 100 #LessonPlans And Ideas For Teaching #Math http://t.co/gWy2T5eKsT â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) August 3, 2015 Pick out the right tutoring service that provides screened tutors: Reliable online math tutoring services provide tutors who are handpicked and screened in their specific domains of knowledge. Such tutors prove great with their certifications and credentials and can handle any intricate Math equation within no time. Ask for references from the tutor you choose: To understand the strength and authenticity of the tutor, ask for references which prove his success stories. They showcase how far he suits your requirements and what good he can do for your kid. These success stories boost your confidence in math tutoring and enable you to get your work done with success. Do You Hate Math? 5 Ways To Instill A Love Of Math In Kids http://t.co/SDnaKpFKp5 #backtoschool #homeschooling pic.twitter.com/afIR8VqvZx â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) August 12, 2015 Attend the first math tutoring session: Sit for demos with the tutor. Initial demos and tutoring session of the tutor should be attended by you along with the kid. This helps you in deciding the teaching style of the tutor and makes you understand how far he will come in tune with your needs and your kid’s learning aptitude. If you don’t find him alright, you can very well cancel the deal. Availability of flexible schedules: The main purpose of seeking one on one tutoring is to help out your kid in her crucial learning moments. If the tutor is not available on the time expected, there is no meaning in hiring a tutor. So, a Math tutor online with flexible schedules that go in line with your timings is the best bet for you. 8 #Videos That Prove #Math Is Awesome http://t.co/ctmhsmzZ7o pic.twitter.com/A3986sfavR â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) August 17, 2015 There are online Math tutoring services which prove the best for student purposes in Math struggles. Especially, when you chat with a live Math tutor online, you know his merits and capabilities well and choose your favorite one as per your needs.

How to Regain Confidence

How to Regain Confidence One of the biggest reasons that students do not reach their full potential is their lack of confidence. I'm sure we can all recall a moment where we've had a setback and this has left us feeling doubtful about our future actions. Set backs at school and university can be equally bad for a young person. With a bad exam result, for example, anxiety and fear can develop which can then have a negative impact on future exam success. In this blog post, Daniel S provides some useful advice on how to regain confidence and make sure you ace those exams! Most importantly this advice can help you be more confident when speaking english. Daniel S is an experienced tutor specialising in interview skills and public speaking, as well as teaching English language and literature. ...... How to Regain Confidence Most of us know someone who we envy for their apparent confidence and sense of ease. Ironically, making it  seem  easy is a clue to perhaps the simplest path to self-possession. Of course, we would rather feel genuine confidence than fake it. But with a strange alchemy, the two are intimately connected, intertwined like a double helix, the one feeding the other. Fear is necessary and powerful, of course, protecting us from danger and helping calibrate our responses to what’s around us. But too often in modern life it arises inappropriately and stops us from performing as well as we know we could. Mainstream wisdom touts countless strategies of varying complexity that focus on the self or focus on others. Often, they go something like this: Recipe for Self-Confidence  (which is not a secret recipe but just because it’s made of everyday obvious items, or is easy to understand, doesn’t make it easy to follow). Preparation time: a few moments to a lifetime. Cooking time: ditto. Ingredients: In no particular order, mix together in a living soul all or some of the following: standing tall, speaking slowly, breathing deeply, knowing yourself, believing in yourself, living by your principles, preparing well, dressing well, being kind and generous, thinking positively, rejecting negative thoughts, setting small goals and achieving them, focusing on solutions, changing small habits to acquire the habit for changing big habits, smiling, exercising, and being grateful. Garnish with knowledge, competence, loving kindness. Method: The next thing to do (which can be done firstâ€"unlike conventional recipes, you can start cooking up confidence at any time) is to remember that confidence is as confidence does, behaves, appears, or simply pretends to be. The apparent cool composure of a person on stage talking to five hundred people does not mean inside they are not terrified, grim and wishing they were anywhere else. Even some of the most seasoned performers have admitted to stage fright every time the curtain goes up or the camera rolls. Barry Humphries, the late Carrie Fisher, Kirk Douglas, William Shatner, to name a few, have all spoken about it publicly. Brian Wilson once said, “I have stage fright every single concert I've ever done. It's absolute living hell.” As in  The  Wizard of Oz, within bold fabulous creatures may sit shy humans operating the levers and switches that let the outside world see something else entirely. Conversely, normal souls with normal fears can appear more confident simply by telling the world as much. The word itself is from the Latin: fidere, “to trust”; and com, meaning “with” or used as an intensifying prefix, i.e. “to trust a lot”. Fidere also means faith. And on this spins the whole premise. Confidence is a quality that does not exist unless we say it does. It is as changeable as wind, fickle as a teenage crush, as powerful as any known force. Religions, ideologies, stock markets and love all depend to varying degrees on our hopes, beliefs and mutable points of view, and the confidence, high or low, that derives therefrom. What we think as individuals or as groups massively influences the world we live in. Presentation: A famous self-help book is called  Feel the Fear And Do It Anyway. The title points to the fragile heart of the matter. Be bold, it says, and all shall pass. But it also accepts that fear is a precipice, an edge, sometimes the thinnest part of a moment in time when we may decide to step back and not act after all. The book encourages us to reconsider those moments, to choose to go forward. And the beautiful kicker is, each step forward increases confidence and reduces fear. The scared actor may suffer and shake before striding onstage but they still do it. Perhaps it seems daft to suggest a matter so important to our wellbeing can be reduced to a simple formula, but it can. Sometimes we just need to remember to keep moving forwards and confidence will join us. ..... Daniel S is a trained interviewer with fifteen years experience of publishing and investment banking. He is also a writer and journalist, the author of three books, and he specialises in teaching interview skills and confidence as well as public speaking and a wide range of English at all levels for students and adults alike. If you would like to contact Daniel S or would like him as a tutor for your child, please send him a message through his profile. Alternatively for more tutors specialising in a range of subjects go to the Tutorfair website. Checkout out more  Tutorfair blogs  here: Five Strategies to improve Academic Performance Power Nap Your Way to Exam Success Photo credits: Rydon Bede Pix

Study More Effectively Using Deliberate Practice - PART 2

Study More Effectively Using Deliberate Practice - PART 2 Improving Academic Performance In a previous blog post on deliberate practice, we learned that it takes focus, motivation, feedback, and a desire to uncover the underlying elements of the big concepts. More importantly, we learned that it is the way to build new skills, be they academic, athletic, musical, or anything else. Let's now look at a few different examples of the concept in action, as well as explore what deliberate practice, in an academic context, involves in a bit more detail. Deliberate Practice in a Low Performing Charter School There is a charter school system called Knowledge is Powerthat is located in low-achieving, urban areas Students were tested in math proficiency before the beginning of the KIP program, and only 17% scored proficient. After changing to a curriculum based on the ideals of deliberate practice, 84% achieved proficiency. When a student enters the program, called KIPP, he or she must sign a contract that promises to persevere and follow through when the going gets tough. All students attend school from 7:30am to 5:00pm, and even have to be in attendance on some Saturdays and a few weeks throughout the summer. This is a big commitment. But the leaders of the program say that it is not just about putting in extra time. It is placing motivation, passion, and focus at the forefront of education and making sure that the teachers are instilling these ideals into the students at all points in the educational process. The staff creates a culture of discipline. The students learn, through training, a dedication to hard work and perseverance. And, they learn how to study the right way, with intense focus, effort, and a passion for improvement. So far, this method of teaching by deliberate practice has seen positive results in low achieving schools. These studies (and others) demonstrate to us that focus, determination, and motivation go a very long way in achieving academic success. How Important is Deliberate Practice? The term ‘deliberate practice’ was created by a man named Anders Eriksson, who studied people that had acquired expert performance in a subject and had excelled. He found that the main thing separating these geniuses from ‘normal’ people was the amount of time spent doing deliberate practice. Yes, of course natural ability helps a person excel, but Anderson found thatpracticing more and differently, more deliberately, than others was much more important than natural ability in the development of skill. Geoff Colvin, a past editor for Fortune Magazine, wrote about the properties of deliberate practice. They are as follows: Deliberate Practice is designed to improve performance. This means that the right type of practice is not, for example, just going out on a golf course and hitting as many balls as possible every day for 10 hours a day to become a professional golfer. It involves careful study and review of your shots, tweaking your form, and repeating. The practice needs to be repeated frequently. Your talent, skill, sport, academic subject, etc. needs to be treated as a priority when it comes to daily time management. A feedback loop, some sort of assessment based on whether or not you did things correctly and how you should adjust your technique and practice style based on the results, needs to exist. A popular quote outlines the reason beside the necessity for a feedback loop quite nicely: “The definition of insanity is to repeat the same thing over and over again and expect different results.” Time spent in practice needs to be mentally demanding. The brain should be fully engaged in order for deliberate practice to have its full effect. It should be very difficult to sustain this type of focused practice for more than a few hours. The tasks that are being practiced need to be difficult. If you are not constantly testing yourself and trying harder problems or skills, just coasting through the material, you will not reach your full potential. Finding things that are particularly challenging and working through them gives room for growth and allows progress to be made towards reaching ‘expert’ status. When you start to do things that push you out of your comfort zone, that is when you will truly excel and get better â€" that’s how skill is built in the brain. You might see how these properties of deliberate practice can be applied to improving your ACT or SAT score or getting better grades in school, but it can be helpful to use these rules in any area of life where you’d like to improve your performance and build your skills. As we’ve said a few times in this article, if you’re willing to put in the time, the focus, the motivation, and practice in the right ways, you can be well on your way to becoming an expert. Even if you aren’t looking to be the next Einstein, deliberate practice can get you that A in Calculus, or that higher standardized exam score, or better scores on tests in general. Deliberate practice gives you the tools you need to drastically improve your academic (and other types of) performance.

Executing the Mentally Impaired

Executing the Mentally Impaired John Coffee (Michael Clarke Duncan) awaits execution in The Green Mile Last week attention was called to the topic of intellectual disabilities (ID) and the death penalty when a Georgia court granted a last minute stay of execution for a man with an I.Q. of 70 (the widely-accepted threshold for ID). The courts intervention was a relief for many, and a surprise to those familiar with criminal law in Georgia and elsewhere. Since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Atkins v. Virginia eleven years ago, states have been reluctant to set up legal tests which would classify inmates as intellectually disabled, leading to a system which clearly favors execution over mental care or rehabilitation. In Georgia, a defendant must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he is in fact mentally handicapped. This ensures that judges and juries will be very hesitant to rule in favor of an ID claim and most will be sent to death row. This has been the fate of numerous ID claimants in Texas where the legal standard required to pass as mentally handicapped (or mentally retarded, as the outdated legal text still reads) is so strict that almost anyone with a pulse and an operational nervous system is eligible for lethal injection. The Texas courts test for intellectual disability is based on seven Briseño Factors, named after the case which established the precedent. A Google search of the term reveals a large collection of stories about unjust sentences to be handed down to our most helpless citizens. To be considered intellectually disabled under the Briseño Factors, a defendant must prove to a jury that he or she lacks proper functioning in all seven areas covered by the test. These factors were created by judges instead of doctors, they are not scientifically based, and they include things such as the ability to plan a faculty observed in many zoo animals as well as nearly every human who ever lived. In addition to standards that could be met by an animal, the Briseño Factors also provide that courts should disregard an ID claim if friends or family members of the defendant do not believe he or she is mentally disabled. Regardless of feelings on the morality of the death penalty, surely there are few people who would suggest that systematically executing mentally handicapped prisoners is acceptable. Affronts to human rights such as this happen around the world every day, but should not be common news in a nation that prides itself on fairness and justice. Just as tyrannical governments in past centuries have sought to quietly eliminate undesirable populations, states governments right here at home are executing people who by all civilized standards should be safely confined from the general population and properly treated. The execution of mentally handicapped people is a disgrace to our society and a slap in the face to human rights. The only way to tackle the issue is by making yourself and others more aware of what happens to these poor unfortunate men and women. Stories of prisoners with intellectual disabilities facing the death penalty: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/category/categories/issues/mental-retardation http://www.thenation.com/blog/169243/updated-texas-executes-man-iq-61 http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/article_8a7ef928-9fe2-515d-9e44-ee6a700606a1.html

Little Wonders Childcare LTD

Little Wonders Childcare LTD Little Wonders Childcare LTD Little Wonders is a small child-centered private preschool in Limassol, Cyprus currently caring for children aged 18months to 5 1/2. Our language of instruction is English and our activity planning guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework of the British National Curriculum. We place great value on positive childhood experiences, and on play based learning and are looking for teachers who are familiar with the EYFS and planning continuous provisions.We strive to provide children with anenvironment that is safe for them to explore whilst challenging their learning. It should allow children the freedom to explore and become independent in making choices. Our team is made up of young, motivated and energetic teachers from different backgrounds, who love to share experiences and grow as a functional and loving team. If you are an experienced, qualified preschool or primaryteacher and are familiar with the EYFS and would like an opportunity to work on our lovely sunny island, we look forward to reviewing your application.

Teaching English in China Hangzhou City Guide

Teaching English in China Hangzhou City Guide At Teach Away, we’ve been all abuzz about China as the place to be when it comes to teaching English abroad this year. That’s why we’re excited to get the ball rolling on the third (and final) installment of our blog series on living in China.And it just so happens that we’ve saved the best city for last - Hangzhou! Read on to find out how can get around the city, where you can find great food, bargain-heavy shopping, beautiful scenery, fun nightlife and much more. Living in Hangzhou Interested inteaching English in China? Hangzhou could be just the spot for you. Located on China’s east coast, Hangzhou offers expats all the conveniences of a large, modern city, but at a slightly slower pace than Shanghai or Beijing. Well-known for its picturesque West Lake, Hangzhou has lots of natural beauty and a great mix of traditional and Western culture. Climate Hangzhou has a generally warm and mild climate, with four distinct seasons and two rainy periods. Although considered mild, average temperatures in the area can get up to 86 (34 degrees Celsius) degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, and down to 37 degrees (2 degree Celsius) in the winter, so it’s best to bring both winter and summer clothes! As well, make sure to invest in some quality rain gear if you plan on moving to Hangzhou, as there are two rainy seasons in both June and September. Transport Trains. Hangzhou has three railway stations throughout the city, with high-speed trains connecting the city to nearby Shanghai, Ningbo, and Changsha. The East Railway Station, located in the Jianggan District, is the largest high-speed train center in eastern China! Buses. One of the most popular forms of public transportation in Hangzhou, bus routes operate throughout downtown and run almost 24/7 - making transportation accessible at almost any time of the day. Most city-buses will cost you about ¥1-3 ($0.15 - $0.45 USD), or less if you have a Transportation Smart Card. Extra tip - Hangzhou city buses only accept exact fares, so be sure to carry some extra change on you at all times! In addition to city lines, suburban and tourist bus lines also run if you want to visit anywhere outside of downtown, or want to explore some of Hangzhou’s famous landmarks! Taxis. Taking a taxi is a quick and convenient way to get around Hangzhou, but there are also some important things to consider if you are planning to take a cab. Be sure that you only take “official” taxis and ask to be charged by the meter to ensure that you will not be overcharged. Taxis are easy to find and flag down anywhere in the city, but ensure you are only using licensed cars and drivers! Flag-down fare for first 2 miles (3 km) ¥11 ($1.65 USD) For the following 2.5-6 miles (4 - 10 km) ¥2.50 per 0.6 miles (1 km) ($0.37 USD) Distances over 6 miles (10 km) ¥3.75 per 0.6 mile (1 km) ($0.56 USD) Waiting fee ¥2.50 for every 4 minutes ($0.37 USD) Food Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. Hangzhou has a prevalent local cuisine, as well as influences from many other areas of China and Western culture. It’s a city where you can not only try traditional food, but also get the comforts of home and try modern twists on ancient Chinese dishes! When living in Hangzhou, traditional dishes such as West Lake Fish in vinegar gravy, Braised Dong Po Pork and fried shrimp with Longjing tea leaves have been passed down for centuries and are a must-try! Hangzhou also has a thriving “snack” scene and is a great way to experience authentic Hangzhou cuisine. Commonly eaten at breakfast, popular local snacks are noodles with seafood, fried bread, and endless others! To fully immerse yourself in the culture, take some time to stroll down the snack streets like He Fang Jie (Qing He Fang) to sample local street food. Basic dinner for two at local restaurant ¥154 ($23.09 USD) Dinner for two at an upscale expat restaurant ¥406 ($60.88 USD) Cappuccino ¥31 ($4.65 USD) Milk (1 liter) ¥17 ($2.55 USD) 1 dozen eggs ¥13 ($1.95 USD) Leisure Entertainment Hangzhou offers expats many options of things to do and explore during weekends and off-hours! During the day, make sure you make time to walk through one of the many shopping areas in the city, especially Silk City - the biggest silk market in China. In addition to traditional markets, Hangzhou also has a number of shopping malls with many popular Western stores. Tea houses are a popular place to relax, talk with friends, and sip on famous Longjing tea. Many of the most well-known tea houses are located along the shores of the West Lake and provide great views of surrounding scenery. Hangzhou boasts a vibrant nightlife entertainment scene, with lots of options for a late night out or drinks with friends after work. Shuguang Lu is a popular area to find bars and nightclubs, as well as mingle with locals. If hanging out at a bar or club doesn’t really feel like your scene, downtown Hangzhou also has a number of theaters to catch live shows and music or spend the night on a cruise around the West Lake. Fitness club/gym (monthly) $332 ($49.78 USD) Movie ticket (single) ¥81.50 ($12.22 USD) 1 drink at a downtown club/bar ¥43 ($6.45 USD) 2 tickets to the theater ¥267 ($40 USD) Monthly Rent Like many other cities in China, the cost of living in Hangzhou will be much more affordable than most Western, native English speaking countries. Still be aware though that rent is still more expensive if you are living in downtown Hangzhou rather than in the suburbs! One bedroom apartment (in the downtown area) ¥5,556 ($833.15 USD) One bedroom apartment (outside of downtown area) ¥3,717 ($557.38 USD) Internet (monthly) ¥140 ($21 USD) Missed our earlier blogs on living in China? Check back to read our deep-dives into life in Tianjin and Nanjing!