As We Age, Do We Get More Introverted At Work - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / As We Age, Do We Get More Introverted At Work - Introvert Whisperer As We Age, Do We Get More Introverted At Work? This question arises from what may be a mistaken premise. Many of the signs of an introvert could be misconstrued with “wisdom”. Signs such as enjoying time by yourself, being the last to raise your hand in a group setting, other people often asking your opinion, preferring not to engage with people who are angry or upset, not initiating small talk with salespeople or other casual meetings. These seem like very wise behaviors, and many being the kind that is cultivated by the kind of wisdom that comes with age and experience. And studies have shown that introversion does increase with age (Gutman 1966 and Heron Chown 1967). However, the correlation between age and introversion was shown to be small, though statistically significant. Which means that even if older individuals are more likely to be introverted, it does not necessarily mean that it is a result of their age. This only leads to the argument that it is a growing wisdom rather than necessarily introversion. Thus, we could argue that the indicators of aged wisdom are likely to be mistaken for introversion even if you are not. In fact, there are many aspects of aging that lead to your continued improvement and performance in the workplace. Even with the increased introversion (wisdom). Of the top 10 worries of getting old, physical ability independence was rated as the most common concern by those surveyed. As well as the mental impact of aging and the risk to your finances. With these concerns driving you, it may well fuel your ambition and work ethic. Combine this with a growing sense of introverted wisdom and you can quickly understand why they call them your “golden years.” However, for now, we will use introversion to describe the state of mind as this presents an easy frame of reference to understand the behaviors that are likely to affect your work. With that being said, let us explore the other signs of introversion that may present in an aging individual in the workplace. Understand that there are both positive and negative aspects of being an introvert at work. Introverts are more likely to be antisocial or shy, inattentive, slow or unenthusiastic. On the other hand, introverts think before they speak, they don’t patronize those beneath them and they don’t act rashly. Are you noticing any trends yet? Let us look at these positive and negative aspects of introversion from the context of being an aging employee in an increasingly young workforce. Imagine yourself (you may not have to imagine it) working at a company, perhaps an office. As someone of an older demographic, are the younger employees likely to think you antisocial or shy if you avoid their offer of beer pong? Or to go “clubbing”? Probably! But that seems more like wisdom if you take a step back. If you think before you speak (a rarity these days) and take your time to complete your work properly, are younger employees likely to believe you slow or unenthusiastic? Possibly! Though, that is how work should be done. Do it right the first time, measure twice cut once. And perhaps most obvious of all, as a senior employee, you are likely above some or many others in the hierarchy. With this position of authority, and as an introvert (or wise elder) are you likely to avoid patronizing your subordinates? Of course, because with your well-earned wisdom you can think outside of yourself. You can remember what it was like to be where they are. And you are likely to be free of the bragging and arrogant behavior younger employees who rose quickly often have. It should go without saying now that many of the effects of aging and a growing, wiser mind, may be misconstrued for a growing introversion. As you age this is likely to happen. And especially so in a workplace, where such introversion has both positive and negative aspects. It is with this understanding that you ought to embrace these aspects of yourself. Be slow, but attentive to your work. Think before you speak, because others will not. And reserve your social time for those things that are of true value to you. Either in the workplace or outside of it. Your time is valuable and increasingly so. Turn the negative aspects of introversion into strengths in the workplace. And enhance the strengths that come with your aging wisdom. About the author The article was written by Mila Payton. Mila holds a BSc in International Business. She enjoys writing about psychology, business, and self-improvements. When she is not working, Mila spends her time cooking for her family and friends. Go to top SELF-PROMOTION Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective.  But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will?  If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Private Tutoring Is there a Right Age to Start

Private Tutoring Is there a Right Age to Start Is there an Ideal Age to Hire a Private Tutor? ChaptersWhat about home tutoring when it comes to musical instruments?Is there a minimum age for private tutorials?Learning Music as an AdultIs there a Perfect age to use a Private Tutor while at School?Having Private Tutorials as an AdultArts and Leisure Private TutorialsDo you have to be a certain age to have private tutorials? When should you consider private tutoring?These are questions that you need to ask yourself and your personal tutors.Should we force private tutorials on our children as early as possible in order to give them the best start in school or turn them into a musical prodigy? Are tutoring services the right option?Furthermore, is there an age limit when it comes to taking private tutorials? Here are our answers... CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teache r 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat about home tutoring when it comes to musical instruments?Let’s start with music before moving onto academic support since parents seem to prefer it. Teachers don’t like to give a minimum age when it comes to learning music. That’s because there are two types of musical beginners: those starting an instrument and those having a musical awakening.Is there a minimum age for private tutorials?For the first option, we recommend starting one on one tutoring at 6 years old. This is the average age most personal tutors recommend. Trying to teach students how to play an instrument before 6 years old is possible but also very risky. In fact, they usually don’t have the faculties to understand or read music.Most professionals suggest starting at 6 years old when it comes to private music lessons. (Source: Evolution Enrichment)This can result in t he student being frustrated and inevitably go off music. Before 6 years old, it’s highly recommended to sign up to a musical awakening class, then move on to learning the piano, violin, guitar, or any other musical instrument. This is how they’ll learn rhythm and melody. They’ll also try different instruments and discover what they like. By doing this, they’ll know which instrument they want to learn.This is why tutors recommend starting to learn an instrument around the age of 6 or 7. The ideal age is some time between 7 and 10 years old. The child is more mature and is capable of concentrating for longer periods of time and can learn through reading comprehension. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!D iscover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Ras hmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLearning Music as an AdultAs we get older, we often tell ourselves, “If only I’d learnt to play the guitar when I was younger”, “If only I knew how to play the piano”, etc.We say this as if the first 20 years of our lives are the deadline when it comes to learning how to play a musical instrument. This idea is obviously just a justification for being lazy rather than a genuine age limit! An older student is often a better learner since they already have the necessary study skills.You're never too old to start learning music. (Source: Superprof.fr)In fact, learning music later in life isn’t a bad idea, at all. An adult learns more quickly than a child or an adolescent since they are much better at concentrating and are much more focused.Don’t forget that learning music into adulthood is a personal choice and for fun. Whereas children often have to learn a musical instrument at their parents’ b ehest. This idea of learning for pleasure can help adults learn even faster.Do you study music at a music academy? Find out why you should take private tutorials before an exam...Is there a Perfect age to use a Private Tutor while at School?Should a child have private tutorials early on in their school career? At secondary school and sixth form usually keep students busy outside of school hours. Should we leave our children alone during primary school?What about tutoring in the summer during the school holidays? Is online tutoring worth it? Where can I find a tutor?These are all good questions. When it comes to private tutorials, parents are very satisfied. Lessons at home, whether with an in home tutor or an online tutor, as opposed to those in school which the child sees as a chore, are always an effective solution. This satisfaction carries on through secondary school and sixth form.In fact, many parents are taking the decision to employ private tutors during crucial times in ord er to guarantee academic success.In what context exactly? Most of the time, they employ private tutors hourly to help children with their homework or an assignment.When's the best age to start private tuition? (Source: Superprof.fr)At this age, it’s not usually to prepare children aged between 6 and 10 for future exams or a given career path, but rather to help them. This is for one to one tutors specialising in primary school education.At this age, children usually have reading and writing homework or basic maths activities. Young children normally get academic tutoring from a reading tutor, writing tutors, or an educator who focuses on teaching young children.If there are three things you do in primary school, it’s reading, writing, and arithmetic! These skills are crucial when it comes to literacy.Therefore, rather than overworking the child at school, let the tutor give them private tutorials at home. The price of private tutorials is often more affordable when it comes to y ounger children.Having Private Tutorials as an AdultThere’s nothing stopping an adult from taking private tutorials except their own apprehension. Never stop learning! Whether for personal or professional reasons.Businesses often ask their employees to study a foreign language, for example. This has resulted in an increasing demand for professional private tutorials.Is this in order to do business abroad or relocate you? These are a few simple solutions:Join an evening language class,Or have private tutorials with a personal tutor.Sometimes adults make the best students. (Source: British Council)More often than not, it’s the business that makes this decision. It seems obvious that intensive classes with a private tutor would be the obvious choice. One-on-one tuition will give you the opportunity to practice regularly and quickly master the language.In these types of situations, there isn’t really an age limit when it comes to having private tutorials!Since adults are often bus y, find out whether they’d prefer to have private tutorials during the week or get home tutoring in the evenings.Arts and Leisure Private TutorialsWhile academia and music are the most popular when it comes to private tutorials, there is also another popular category that parents and adults love: arts and leisure.As you can imagine, these are usually done during leisure time. There are plenty of tutoring companies, including Superprof, where you can find the best tutors of art and leisure activities.DrawingFor these types of private lessons it is also quite difficult to define a minimum age. Especially when it comes to one of this category’s most popular pursuits, drawing. Design is for all ages. It can be a hobby, a passion, or a career. It’s all three for the tonnes of art tutors who give private tutorials in drawing.Drawing can help children from a very young age develop a number of skills and key concepts such as:Colours,Shapes,Scale,Space,Colouring,Mental association,Crea tivity,Perspective.These concepts are key for children under 10 years old. A private tutor can be really useful when it comes to learning these skills and understanding these concepts.A private tutor is better at training a child in these than their parents would be.Cooking and ArchitectureTutoring programs come in all shapes and sizes. While you wouldn’t normally put these two together, they both can be classified as “Art and Leisure” subjects. In this instance, the age limit is set by the subject itself. This is why it’s best to limit your students to those already studying the subject. Don’t waste your time looking for students too young to do these subjects.Why not take up cooking classes? (Source: Diaforetiko.gr)Given that cooking is an art, you could say that you should learn it as soon as possible. Private tutorials in cooking are a great option for those studying cooking at GCSE, for example. However, these subjects aren’t available to very young children, so weâ €™d obviously say that students’ age limit is around the time they're going to start studying these subjects at school.Architecture is a very technical subject. Of course cooking can also be technical, but it can also be a hobby. Architecture is first and foremost a vocation and a career. This is why it takes several years to study: It requires GCSEs, A Levels, then a degree and post-graduate study.Why not consider getting a private tutor to help with architecture? (Source: Northeastern University)For those who’d like to study architecture for their career, why not get a head start with private tutorials before going to university? Between 16 and 18 years old. Of course, private tutors are available for during your architecture studies at university, too.Find Bristol tutors  and a level tutors on Superprof!Therefore, the age limit for this subject for architecture is between 16 and 17 years old in order to prepare the student for their future vocation.

Taking Better Photos on Smartphones

Taking Better Photos on Smartphones 10 Ways to Improve Your Smartphone Photography Chapters1: Avoid Backlighting2: Clean the Lens3: Use Accessories4: Edit Your Photos Afterwards5: Think About What the Photo’s For6: Take Several Photos7: Avoid Using the Zoom8: Don’t Rush9: Use HDR Mode10: Avoid Using Flash“It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.” - Paul CaponigroNowadays, everyone is taking photos thanks to the fact that there’s a camera (or two) on every smartphone. Whether this is a good thing or not, it allows everyone to express their creativity through the art of photography.In fact, the majority of photos taken are now taken on smartphones! So while everyone has the tools to take better photos, it’s easier said than done. With white balance, shutter speed, and aperture to think about, it can be quite tricky getting that perfect photo.That said, there are techniques you can use when taking a picture to improve your personal snaps, Instagram photos, or family portraits.H ow?Here are our 10 photography tips and tricks for getting better photos with your smartphone. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors1: Avoid BacklightingBacklighting is every amateur photographer’s worst enemy. While this can sometimes be used to great effect by professionals, backlighting will probably ruin most photos. Similarly, since smartphones have digital cameras, it’s not as easy to account f or it or react quickly to it.Ideally, you want your subjects lit by a light source that isn’t directly pointed at your lens. In short, no matter what equipment you’re using, that perfect shot will be ruined by direct light into the camera. Make sure that the sun isn't behind you when taking photos. (Source: wilkernet)2: Clean the LensIf there’s one thing you should always do when taking photos, ensure the lens is clean. If your pictures are still blurry after ten attempts, there might be something on the lens.If only you’d cleaned the lens before you started shooting. Don’t forget that when you’re taking photos with your smartphone, you’re also taking photos with a device that’s with you everywhere you go.There may be grubby fingerprints on it, bits of food, or even makeup on the device.3: Use Accessories“I don’t trust words. I trust pictures.” - Gilles PeressMany smartphone photographers forget about just how useful some accessories can be, even for their smartphone. There are plenty of devices and accessories that you can clip onto your smartphone and turn it into something far more powerful. You won't need as many lenses if you're taking photos with a smartphone! (Source: Free-Photos)You can get clip-on fisheye, wide-angle, and telephoto lenses for many of the popular brands and models. You’d be surprised at just how close to professional-grade lenses you can get with some of these.Find out more about the smartphones with the best cameras.4: Edit Your Photos AfterwardsSmartphones are designed to be versatile and you can even edit your photos after you’ve taken them. You don’t always need expensive photo editing software since a lot of smartphones include the most common tools you’ll find in some of these programmes.Every photo can be improved in some way. You can alter the white balance, add a filter, or remove certain imperfections.Find out how to edit your smartphone photos. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teache r 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors5: Think About What the Photo’s ForThe great thing about smartphones is that you can take photos with them anywhere, any time. However, one drawback is that we tend to habitually take photos without thinking about why which can result in disappointing photos.The first thing you need to do when taking a photo is think about why you got your smartphone out to take it in the first place.Why is this worthy of a photo? Is the depth of field right? Will I be posting it on social networks?The latter, for example, is more often than not the reason for taking a photo on a smartphone.If you’re taking a photo for Instagram, why not take it in the app or use the square photo mode built into your smartphone’s camera?Most smartphones will have a mode which is designed with Instagram in mind.6: Take Several PhotosYou’re probably wondering why you should take several photos of just one thing. Taking a few photos at once gives you the opportunity to get the right angle and a greater chance of the photo turning out well. Always make sure you take several photos at once; you never know which ones are going to turn out good. (Source: NickyPe)With different placements and points of view, you’ll be able to see something completely different and in the end, pick the photo you like the most. After all, it doesn’t cost anything to take several photos.7: Avoid Using the Zoom“We are making photographs to understand what our lives mean to us.” - Ralph HattersleyWhether it’s an Instagram photo or a holiday snap, try to avoid using the zoom on your camera.Why?For the simple reason that the zoom will pixelate the image.  Try getting closer to your subject if you can. Very few people will enjoy a photo where you can’t tell what anything is.8: Don’t RushSimilarly, while it doesn’t cost anything to take a photo with your smartphone, you don’t need to go crazy when it comes to taking photos; it’s not a race. Of course, in some cases (like a race), you mightn’t be able to take your time.Don’t s tress out, though. Take your time to study your subject and plan out your photo. Look at the lighting and pay attention to unfavourable details you mightn’t want in your photo.Learn more about the different photo modes on your smartphones.9: Use HDR ModeWhen possible, try to use High Dynamic Range (HDR) Mode. This mode can improve the lighting and exposure of photos by taking several at once and compiling them into one photo. Since HDR mode takes several photos at once, it's better for static objects. For closeups, however, use macro modes. (Source: Free-Photos)Using different images allows your smartphone to choose the right lighting and exposure for different parts of the photo. The most important thing is to stay as still as possible because you don’t want your photo to be blurry.10: Avoid Using FlashTo take better photos, you should adapt to your surroundings. At night, you may be tempted to use your flash. This is often a big mistake as the flash will remove the background and ruin your subjects’ eyes.Ideally, you want to take the photo using night mode and adjust the lighting after you’ve taken the photo. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible. Photography isn’t drawing, after all; you need to adapt to the conditions.To capture the best shots, make sure you think carefully before you press that shutter button. If your photos are blurry, set your camera or smartphone up on a tripod befor e you take a picture. Natural light can also help to get the best photos.In addition to ensuring your using the right camera settings, focal length, white balance, aperture, etc., consider the composition of your photos and make use of the rule of thirds and the negative space in your photo. You'll be surprised at how much what isn't there can influence good photos.  Even selfies can be really good pictures if you take your picture-taking seriously.You’ll soon see that taking decent photos with your smartphone isn’t that complicated.Ready to give it a try?Say cheese!If you'd like more help with photography, there are many talented and experienced tutors on Superprof who'd be willing to help you. There are three main types of tutorial and you can choose the one which best suits your preferred learning style and your budget.Group tutorials tend to be the cheapest and best for those on a budget as all the students in the tutorial are sharing the cost of the tutor's time and experti se. However, this does mean you'll get less one-on-one time with your tutor and the lessons won't be tailored to just you and what you want to learn.Online tutorials tend to be slightly more expensive than group tutorials but are just between you and your tutor. This means you can benefit from tailored lessons and learning programmes as well as enjoying the tutor's undivided attention throughout your tutorials. However, without the tutor physically being there with you, it can make certain hands-on aspects of learning a little bit more difficult.Finally, face-to-face tutorials have the benefits of the previous two types of tutorials without the drawbacks of the tutor not being there or there being other students in the tutorial vying for your tutor's attention. If you want to learn with these types of tutorials, however, you will have to pay more than the other two types as you'll be paying for your tutor's expertise, travel costs, and all the time they put in outside of your tutori als to ensure that they're tailored to you and exactly what you want to learn about.Think carefully about which type is best for you and discuss all this with any potential tutors before hiring them!

Learning the German Mentality at Work

Learning the German Mentality at Work The Differences Between British and German Work Ethic ChaptersGerman Discipline: Fact or Fiction?German Business CultureExperience or Qualifications?Working in Germany: Don’t Let Things Drag OnGerman Workers' RightsFinding A Job In GermanyDo I Need To Speak German To Work In Germany?“Germany is an anatomical oddity: it writes with its left hand and acts with its right.” â€" Kurt TucholskyIs Germany an occupational utopia for Brits?  It definitely seems to be for those that live in Germany. In addition to low unemployment, according to a study in 2015, of those in work, 78% of them are “happy at work” in their home country.Of course, they are! 73.1% of them earn over €31,000 gross/year and the national average is €20,670/year.However, working in Germany isn’t as easy as it might seem. While the UK is still in the EU, Brits don't currently need a residence permit, work permit, or visas to go to Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, or Munich in Bavaria. You can currently go wherever you want in Deutschland!If you've got a job offer and are moving to Germany, you might think your biggest hurdles are going to be the language, German culture, dealing with the German embassy or German government, or getting health insurance but you'd be wrong.Almost every foreigner currently living abroad in Germany, even those with advanced language skills, will mention the culture shock they were met with when it came to the German mentality regarding work. It can be difficult to integrate into the heart of a German company and anyone wanting to work or study in Germany needs to prepare themselves for the Germany philosophy when it comes to their job (and learn German Phrases, too).Here’s everything you need to know about the German work mentality...The idea of the disciplined German is one of the oldest clichés in the book.From overseas, Germany is seen as a country where the people are far more disciplined, ordered, strict, and unwavering than other EU countries.  Why is this image so lasting?Germans aren't as strict as ste reotypes would have you believe. (Source: pixabay.com)For one, Germany broadcasts this image of themselves because the workers in German companies are so competitive and effective. German businesses look for diligence and consistency when it comes to their workers, making Germany 4th in terms of global economic powers and the most powerful in the European Economic Area (EEA). This also means it can be easy to find a job.In an interview on the French show 20 minutes, Katja, a French-German living in Paris explained:“We only cross the road when the light is green and in business we respect contracts scrupulously.”Has Germany always been the “good student” in a class?  This isn't always the case.Even though plenty of countries think that Germans seem to sometimes be too disciplined, they also like to promote externalising feelings.This is true in their schools, as Katja explained:“[School in Germany] promotes personal expression and debate. We don’t learn things off by hear t.”It’s this mix of diligence and assertiveness that helps the Germans be so effective in their work! If you're considering working abroad and want to see it for yourself, why not start by learning German in a university or German school in Berlin or learn German online?German Business CultureWhat are the advantages of working and living in Germany?We tend to think that finding a job and working in the Federal Republic of Germany won’t be so different to working in the UK since we live in an increasingly globalised world.  However, it’s not true.The cultural differences at work can end up being a roadblock when it comes to recruitment in Germany and integrating into a German workplace. In fact, studies by the Goethe Institut have shown that a large number of businesses think the differing mentalities can be a source of tension at work.You can't be like the White Rabbit. You can't be late. (Source: rawpixel.com)In order to avoid this, don’t be duped by the illusion.  Here a re a few key differences between the two countries:In the UK, your professional life tends to dominate your personal life ? In Germany, your private life is essential. Working at home is even encouraged.In the UK, we prefer originality ? In Germany, they prefer utility and profitability.In the UK, we prefer creative employees ? In Germany, they prefer employees who focus on the quality of the work they’ve been asked to do.In the UK, we aim for a company that works well ? In Germany, they aim for a company that works perfectly.In the UK, we encourage movement ? In Germany, they encourage consistency and continuity.In the UK, companies love to rise to new challenges ? In Germany, companies like to play it safe.Work in Germany is monochronic, too. This means that they like to complete tasks sequentially and put a focus on timeliness and avoiding delays.  Germans like to be on time at all times.German workers are also more aware of the big decisions being taken by their company. It’ s the famous notion of “Wir-Gefühl” where Germans are part of the whole and are therefore involved with their company.Before setting off on a German adventure, you need to be aware of all these differences.  This means that you can start integrating into the German work ethos from the moment you sit down at your interview!If you're thinking about studying in Germany, you should check out the 5 best student cities in Germany!Experience or Qualifications?When it comes to qualifications, the UK puts far too much importance on them. We believe that our futures are made for us the second we pick up our degree certificates.  We seem to believe that our entire careers are decided between the ages of 18 and 21.While it can seem weird for somebody in the UK to go back to their studies, it’s very easy to do so in Germany.  Germans can improve their work skills at any moment through theoretical and practical courses.Speaking German is a must if you want to work in Germany. (Source: pixa bay.com)These courses give them a “plus” on their CVs without being the decisive factor when it comes to hiring them.Being a good student in Germany isn’t enough. The candidate has to prove themselves in the professional world.German businesses prefer:Speaking German and bilingualismProactive candidatesThe practical elements of qualificationsWork experience (internships, etc.)Professional skillsReferences.Digital skillsExperience “on the ground”...In Germany “Die Elitehochschulen” or “Eliteuniversität” aren’t as important. Further education is seen important when it brings something to the workplace rather than being just an accolade.  German businesses also consider older candidates. As of 2020, 40% of the German population will be seniors.By launching the “Perspective 50+” initiatives, German companies are looking towards hiring older employees and placing greater value on their experience and knowledge rather than their training.German philosophy is diffe rent to ours in that it doesn’t place as much focus on your academic background. Experience is more important and candidates without degrees are given a chance.Time is money” â€" Benjamin FranklinThe “Zeit ist Geld” is particularly important in Germany where workers are expected to be quick and effective.  You can’t procrastinate here!The German mentality is based on profitability: German workers look for well-paid positions which you can only get if you are diligent and dedicated.In Germany, employees need to trust one another. (Source: Marc Mueller)German businesses won’t give a penny to idle workers. It’s a relationship built on trust between the employer and the employee.  It’s the same between colleagues.German workers need to rely on one another in order to perfectly work together to optimise the company’s output. Every expat applicant or job seeker in Germany needs to keep this in mind.After an interview with Superprof, Stephanie from Ravensburg, who’s bee n working in France for 4 years, had this to say about the work ethic:“One of the biggest differences between France and Germany is in the world of work. Since I’ve been working in France, I’ve noticed one thing. In Germany, when we say “I’ll take care of that”, we do it. Most of the time we do it immediately. For Germans, these words come with an expectation to be counted on. In France (just like the UK), sometimes these words mean nothing. People have told me they’d take care of something and they didn’t.”If you want to last in the German job market, you have to rigorously make use of your time and complete every job on time. The same goes if you're on an internship or an international student in a German university. If you're studying or working in Germany, you've got to do as the Germans do.With our advice, are you ready to set foot on German soil?If you're not sure about Germany, remember that if you've mastered the German language, you can also consider other German speaking countries like Austria and Switzerland, although the latter isn't a member of the European Union.You can also check out the best German universities...German Workers' RightsWe've already discovered that German workers seemingly appear to work almost like robots, ensuring that every task they do is performed perfectly and on time. But do their rights at work reflect the effort and commitment they put into their jobs?Let's take a look at some of the benefits (or downfalls, as the case may be!) that German workers are entitled to.SalaryIn January 2017, the minimum wage rose to EUR 8,84 and any contract offering a cent less than this is classed as invalid by law. That said, the official minimum wage does not apply to trainees or those taking part in an apprenticeship, which is dealt with case-by-case as the employer and student see fit.With Germans being highly involved in the running of businesses, even at lower levels, bonuses are very common. Supplemental pay, which are funds offered in excess of ordinary agreed pay, can include profit sharing commission, incentives and staff bonuses.When it comes to sick pay, the employee is entitled to time off but must provide a doctor's certificate after 3 consecutive days of illness.The country's law indicates that employees must be paid their full salary during the first six weeks of any period of absence due to sickness, which can potentially be triggered more than once in a year. After this time, statutory or private insurance sickness pay kicks in and usually amounts to more than two-thirds of their basic pay (for a maximum of 78 weeks).WorkweekThe usual working week in Germany consists of 48 hours spread across Monday to Saturday, with any given workday not exceeding eight hours in length. Work on Sundays or public holidays is not generally allowed, but exceptions can be made for certain industries so long as the day is compensated for by time off during the fortnight that follows it.Working days of m ore than six, but no more than nine hours, strictly require a scheduled 30-minute rest break or two 15 minute breaks. A 45-minute break is then required after six hours of work if a working day lasts more than nine hours. At the end of the individual's working day, there must be a rest period of at least of 11 hours.HolidayIn Germany, workers are entitled to at least 24 working days a year as holiday, assuming they work a six-day week as set out above.  Between 25 and 30 days per year is common practice for most employers.During the vacation period, employees are paid in full and, quite often, their employer also grants a special vacation bonus.In general, employees must take their annual holidays/vacation during the calendar year or see it forfeited. In some cases, however, like if there was a particular reason the holiday could not be used up during the previous year, unused holiday can be carried forward until the 31st of March of the next calendar year.Self-EmploymentTo be self- employed in Germany it is necessary  that you have some sort of residence permit. Before contemplating moving to Germany to work on a self-employed basis, it is strongly advised to consult with experts in the field of residence permits, labour, business and tax.If you meet certain criteria, then you may find you are easily issued a residence permit for both you and your family, particularly if you can show that your business will have a positive effect on the German economy, which is ultimately determined by local authorities.  These criteria would normally be related to the type of business, your qualifications and experience and whether or not the work you are proposing could be done by a German national.Your work classification, i.e. trade or craft, is important because it could affect your tax liability and some documentation you may need to source before you start.It is so important to get expert advice about being self-employed in Germany, as the laws, rules, regulations and p rocedures are always undergoing change and are very different from those in the UK.Maternity/Paternity PayIn Germany, the law is quite generous when it comes to maternity and paternity leave and pay.Mothers are allowed six weeks leave at full pay ahead of giving birth, followed by eight weeks at full pay afterwards. For multiples, 12 weeks' paid leave is granted.The mother or father is then allowed up to three years of unpaid leave to stay at home with the child, whilst retaining job security.Recently, the German government initiated a scheme that allows direct subsidies to new parents too, funded by the federal tax system and lasting between 12 or 14 months following the child's birth. The amount offered is based on the after taxes income of the parent who is out of work and caring for the newborn child.Finding A Job In GermanyIf the sound of all of the above gets your heart racing and you can't wait to get settled in work in this European country, then check out this advice on act ually finding work that will suit you in Germany.If you are already in Germany, then you may find it easier to find work through networking and attending meetings and interviews, however, you can still find work in Germany from your base in the UK. Technology has made things much easier in this sense, as you can easily apply electronically for jobs and even participate in interviews via Skype without needing to travel to the company to meet with the employer.There are various websites that can be used to search for jobs, not just company sites but job sites dedicated to roles in Germany.Another option is looking at ads in newspapers, on ex-pat website, or by placing a job wanted ad yourself and promoting yourself through social media. LinkedIn is a great way to reach out to contacts anywhere in the world.You may choose to look for temporary work in Germany, which can be done by joining a temping agency based in the country. These companies supply numerous workers to many companies t hroughout the country and they can advise you on some of the legal requirements that you may need to consider before starting work.If a German company is interested in you and wants to see your resume, know that they will expect a very detailed account of your experience and skills (as you'd expect!) with complete and accurate information on your education and any professional work you have done previously.If you have any, send in references and other documents you think will impress the potential employer immediately along with a recent photograph of yourself. This will avoid them having to chase you for further information and will prove from the offset that you are diligent, reliable and thorough.At an interview, be prepared to answer questions about your health and criminal record, if any, and dress to impress as most interviews are highly formal in German businesses.Do I Need To Speak German To Work In Germany?Germans have a reputation for speaking excellent English, but does t his mean that we Brits can move into their country and expect to get along as if we are living and working at home?Indeed, some businesses in Germany use English as their working language but don't forget that it is not just about the external people you are going to be dealing with. You must consider things like relationships at work, Human Resources, tech support, etc. While the staff may speak English to a certain degree, they will expect you to have a level of understanding of their language in order to get by and to gain their respect.It is only right to learn the local language when residing in a particular country, isn't it?Many locals will give you the benefit of the doubt if you are new to the country but two/three years in? They would probably expect you to have put in more effort by then to learn their way of speaking...Aside from your day to day work, you absolutely require at least some German for other things, like basic living.Finding a house or an apartment, setting up the Internet and home appliances, opening a bank account, going to the supermarket, making friends, being promoted... all of these will be very hard if you don't have at least a basic or intermediate level of German language.Are you interested in learning to speak German? Find German lessons throughout the UK and German lessons London.

A Guide to Writing Drum Music

A Guide to Writing Drum Music Creating Your Own Music for the Drums ChaptersDrum Production and CompositionWhat Is the Magic Formula for Composing on the Drums?Start with the Foundations of Song WritingWriting Your Drum PieceListen to Your CompositionDrum Composition Vocabulary“Practising in your basement is one thing but getting to the point where you forget that you’re playing the drums and you find yourself in harmony with another world, that’s the coup de grâce...” André Ceccarrelli, Jazz DrummerMost people nowadays use the internet to listen to their music.Have you thought about using it to help you make your own music?For example, you can learn the basics of drumming and start composing your own beats for a funk, rock, or bossa nova piece.In this article, we’ve got some advice for aspiring musicians on how to write drum beats and drum rudiments.Learn about the different drum techniques.a good idea to  let people listen to your composition.  You should take a step back and get an objective look at your piece.You might think your piec e is absolutely amazing (even if it isn’t) or think it’s terrible when it’s actually quite good!Start by getting an expert, such as your drum teacher, another musician, or someone else in your class, to listen to it. Make sure you take the criticism constructively and use it to improve your song. It’s not about pulling you down but rather helping you to get better.An experienced drummer can give you some great advice on how to improve your arrangements, add interesting sounds and elements to your music, and techniques that will make them easier to play.Finally, let the general public listen to your pieces. This can really help beginners.  Concerts and performances are a good way to help people experience your music and see what their response is.Remember that you won’t become a great drummer overnight so don’t worry if you don’t get it right on the first attempt. This means that you’ve got a lot of work to do once you get started.Writing music is an ongoing process a nd with each attempt, you'll get better. You should write something, get feedback, improve, and repeat. By doing this, you'll be writing amazing music before you know it!Drum Composition VocabularyWhen you start learning to play the drums, you’ll need to expand your musical horizons (perhaps by listening to Duke Ellington, Jimi Hendrix, Phil Collins, and Ringo Starr) and learn new words, too.Heel UpThis is a technique for playing the bass drum with your heel off the pedal. This is great for power and speed. However, in jazz music, you’ll want your entire foot on the pedal so you have more control.LickA lick is a small musical phrase with a few strikes on various drums (usually the toms) which doesn’t interrupt the main drum beats (unlike a fill).

How to Create a Pen Pal Exchange on the Virtual Writing Tutor

How to Create a Pen Pal Exchange on the Virtual Writing Tutor Click here to start a Pen Pal Exchange Click here to read about the features on the Pen Pal Exchange Step 1:  Click on “Templates.” Click “New” to create a template from scratch. Give your template a descriptive name. Pen pals will see the name on their dashboards. If you want to try a ready-made template, click “Import” from the example tab. Pen pal exchanges on VirtualWritingTutor.com are a series of writing topics with automatic scoring tools. As the teacher and moderator of a pen pal exchange, you must define the following: Your instructions to the student One or more topics The minimum number of words How many errors you will tolerateâ€"warning: foreign names can trigger false alarms, so it is wise to tolerate a couple. What target vocabulary you want to see and the minimum number of them you expect to see Whether you require or allow photos and audio recordings Step 2:  Click on “Groups.” Click “New” to create a group. Give your groups descriptive names. Pen pals will see the name of their groups and their pen pals’ groups on their dashboards. You will need to create one or more groups to deploy a template to. For example, you might want to have a Monday Group and a Wednesday Group if you teach two classes. You will then be able to send invitations by email to each set of students so that they can join up and you can track their progress. Later, you will be able to share groups with another teacher so that they can match your students with pen pals in their groups, and vice versa. Step 3:  Click on “Groups” again. Click “Deploy template.” Select a template from the dropdown list and click “Auto deploy template” so that every new member of the group automatically receives a pen pal exchange based on the template you selected. Step 4:  Click on “Invitations.” Click “New.” Select a group from the dropdown list, personalize your message and click “Save.” Your invitation will appear in your list. You can right-click on the link to copy the URL and send it to your students via email, Facebook, or whatever method you want. Here are some PowerPoint slides showing students what to expect when the join a group on the Pen Pal Exchange. Optional:  Click on “Groups” again. Click “Share link.” This will generate a link that you can send to another teacher. That teacher will be able to import the students from your group to match them with pen pals in his or her groups. In this way, you can create meaningful exchanges between students at other schools taught by different teachers. Step 5:  Click on “Groups” again. Click “Assign pen pal guests.” This is how you match up pen pals within a group or from different groups. A pen pal “guest” is a student who can reply to a post written by a pen pal host, the student who hosts the exchange. In other words, you will be able to add one or more students as guests to each exchange. Guests and hosts will be notified by email of any new messages posted on the exchanges they are assigned to.   Step 6:  Click on “Groups” again. Click “View scores.” This is where you can review your students’ progress and interaction with their pen pals. Please follow and like us:

Need a research question in English Pedagogy or Applied Linguistics

Need a research question in English Pedagogy or Applied Linguistics Grammar Checker Research Questions The Virtual Writing Tutor is a free English Second Language grammar checker. Research into the pedagogy of online grammar checkers is still new. Not a lot is known about how they are used by teachers,  by learners, what their effect is on writing apprehension and accuracy. If you need a topic for your masters thesis and would like a few suggestions, try one or more of these research questions. For articles on the Virtual Writing Tutor, see here. Grammar Checker Research Questions What are English Foreign Language learners’ impressions of automated feedback from a free online grammar checker? Do they find them easy to use? Do they believe that a grammar checker significantly improves their writing? How do EFL learners use the VWT when planning, writing and reviewing a writing assignment at college? How much time do users spend reviewing feedback from the VWT versus feedback they receive from a human teacher? Do learners translate the feedback from the VWT into their own language using the VWT’s feedback translation tool? The VWT has essay outliners, paraphrase checkers, vocabulary checkers, a dictionary, and a grammar and spelling checker. What use do learners make of these features?  What are their impressions of the usefulness and suitability of each of these features? Do professors need to train learners to use these free online tools or will learners use them without training? Should learning how to use grammar checkers be part of the writing curriculum or will learners figure it out on their own? What features are missing? What additional automated help would learners make use of if it were available? How do users make use of the VirtualWritingTutor? What do they do first, second, third, fourth? What training and support would help learners make better use of the free online writing tools on the VWT? Videos? A chat help hotline? A blog post with written instructions? Student testimonials or student created video tutorials? A QA user forum? What effect do student testimonials and video tutorials have on learners’ impressions of online grammar checkers? Would students value automated feedback generated by the VWT sent to them in PDF form with spoken comments from their teacher or would they interpret their teacher’s use of Artificial Intelligence to generate corrective feedback as a dereliction of duty? Do learners use and value the text-to-speech (and MP3 download) feature of the VWT while preparing for oral assignments? Do free online grammar checkers have an effect on writing apprehension? Writing Apprehension and Attitudes Questionnaires and Research Writing Apprehension Test [PDF] Writing Study Questionnaires  [PDF] Do online grammar checkers affect writing apprehension and language learning anxiety? The VWT grammar checker robot can help Please follow and like us:

5 Ways to Overcome a Fear of Speaking in Public -TutorNerds

5 Ways to Overcome a Fear of Speaking in Public -TutorNerds 5 Ways to Overcome a Fear of Speaking in Public Public speaking is something nearly every student dreads. Every high school and college student will have to do some public speaking both in and outside of the classroom so its something that students should become comfortable with sooner rather than later. One of the reasons teachers put students through this torture is because they will need these skills later on in their career. In fact, a great orator is more likely to be able to persuade their audience and perhaps even advance further in their profession. Although every public speaker feels nervous, there are some excellent ways to overcome this fear of public speaking and win over the audience. 1.   Start with a small group setting School assignments are categorized into a small group setting and a larger setting. Speaking in front of an entire auditorium of people tends to be a lot more difficult than speaking in front of three or four people. Students are encouraged to start out in a small group setting where they can more easily connect with their audience and determine if the audience is getting bored and they need to move on from a topic or if people are confused, and they need to slow down. A small group setting will also allow audience members to give constructive feedback that will help the presenter engage more in the future. 2. Practice connecting with the audience One of the best ways to make a public speaking engagement successful is to engage with the audience truly. If they are interested in what the speaker is saying they will be more easily persuaded towards the argument or come up with interesting questions that can make the presentation better overall. When students start out they may not be able to make eye contact with the audience but, as they get more comfortable with the situation, they can connect with one or several members of the audience at a time perhaps even making them part of the presentation itself (READ: 5 Tips to Ace Your School Presentation). 3. Be 100% prepared A surefire way to make any public speaking engagement better is to be 100% prepared and knowledgeable when it comes to knowing the material. Students should be able to answer any number of questions and know a lot more about the subject matter than just what they are directly presenting on. Audiences, and teachers can easily tell when a presenter doesnt truly know their stuff so preparation is the key to an excellent public speaking assignment. 4. Dont worry if theres a bump in the road It is easier said than done to tell a student not to worry if something goes wrong during their presentation. However, the reality is that, at some point, something wont work. Either a Power Point slide will fail, or an audience member will be rude. Its important for the speaker to be able to take it in stride and either fix the situation or move on. Public speaking assignments truly fail when the presenter gets totally thrown off balance by a disruption and cant get back on track. If theres a little bump in the road, no sweat just keep going. 5. Practice makes perfect At the end of the day, practice makes perfect when it comes to being an excellent presenter. Speaking in front of a small or large audience can be difficult for many people, and their first few assignments might be a little bit tough. However, over time speaking in public will become second nature and, hopefully, students will develop this essential skill in time to apply it to their career. Still nervous for your school speech/public speaking event? Talk to your private Los Angeles academic tutor for tips. 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 write.