Chemistry Structure and Properties of Zinc

Chemistry Structure and Properties of ZincIt is important to understand the chemistry structure and properties of a particular element. Knowing the chemistry structure of an element will help one understand the element's special characteristics. In this article, I will explain the chemistry structure and properties of zinc.A chemical element can be broken down into two groups. The first group contains less than four atoms, while the second group has more than four atoms. There are four categories of elements: non-magnetic, metallic, semiconductors, and non-semiconductors. It is quite common to learn the chemistry structure and properties of an element from a book or from a chemistry reference.The most common group of chemical elements is the non-magnetic. In order to determine the chemistry structure and properties of a non-magnetic element, all that is required is to know the atomic number of the element. The atomic number tells us about the amount of force that an atom exerts on ot her atoms. Zinc, as an example, has an atomic number of 22.The next group of chemical elements is known as metallic. In order to determine the chemistry structure and properties of a metallic element, all that is required is to know the atomic number and the valence band of the element.The valence band of a metallic element tells us about the amount of energy it absorbs. Most metallic elements have bands with valence band energy between zero and one. The valence band of Zinc is G.The last group of chemical elements is known as semiconductors. In order to determine the chemistry structure and properties of a semiconductor, all that is required is to know the valence band energy and the width of the band. The width of the band tellsus about the intensity of electrons in the material.In this article, I have given you some background information on the chemistry structure and properties of a particular element. Reading a book is not enough. You need to obtain your knowledge by understan ding the chemistry structure and properties of a particular element. There are many websites where you can get information about a particular element.

The Cost of Visiting Spain

The Cost of Visiting Spain How Much Does it Cost to Visit Spain? ChaptersHow Much Does it Cost to Get to Spain?How Much Do Hotels Cost in Spain?The Cost of Eating in SpainHow Much Does Transport in Spain Cost?How Much Does Shopping Cost in Spain?How Much Do Attractions Cost in Spain?So How Much Should You Spend on Going to Spain?“Of the gladdest moments in human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands.” - Richard BurtonThe cost of living in Spain is lower than in the UK.But what does that mean for somebody who wants to travel to Spain on holiday?From the north to the south of Spain, food, transport, and accommodation are a significant part of any traveller’s budget. It’s, therefore, very important that you calculate your budget before you go to Catalonia, Galicia, or Andalusia.Whether it’s the cost of paella, a hotel, or getting a ticket for the Madrid metro, you need to be ready to pay for stuff. Since travelling isn't free, you need to learn how to travel on a budget, regardless of your destination. W hether you're a tourist going to the Caribbean, Asia, or just up the road, every tourist needs to work out their budget to pay for airline tickets, accommodation, food, and attractions.Whether you're backpacking or going on a weekend getaway, in this article, we're going to look at how much it costs getting to Spain, how much you can expect to pay for accommodation, budgeting for food and dining out, and the cost of visiting tourist attractions. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpani sh Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow Much Does it Cost to Get to Spain?Before you head on a trip to Spain, this is the first question you’ll need to answer. Travelling by plane, train, or automobile won't cost the same. However, it’s never been easier to get to Spain on a budget. There are plenty of good transport links between Spain and the UK.Before you can visit Spain, you have to get there! (Source: jarmoluk)There are plenty of low-cost airlines offering cheap travel to Spain. You can get trips to top Spanish cities like Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Barcelona, and many others. Generally, airfare can cost as little as £50. Of course, you can expect to see prices increase  during the high season.You can also take the train to Spain. This isn’t the cheapest way to travel abroad, though, as it can cost you several hundred pounds. That said, if you spend time exploring booking sites and price comparison sites, you can sometimes get cheap train tickets.There are also bus companies like Eurolines and Flixbus  that can take you to Spain on a budget. The buses tend to be the cheapest options available. However, the journey will take far longer than it would on the plane!If you like a chat, you may want to travel using a car share option.How Much Do Hotels Cost in Spain?Once you’re in Spain, you need to find the best hotel for your stay. Some people prefer to stay in a large hotel with all the services whereas others may be happy with a shared room.Luxury HotelsOf course, not everyone can afford these types of hotel. A hotel room could cost anywhere between €100 and €250 for the night. The price range is so big because of all the different types of services that could be offered.Small HotelsWhen it comes to hotels, you don’t have to stay in big hotels. You can find cheaper hotels for between €40 and €80 for a double room. However, you mightn’t get to stay in the heart of Madrid or get all the services.Hotel ChainsLike elsewher e in Europe, you can find big hotel chains in Spain. For example, Ibis Hotels offer rooms for between €30 and €150. While these aren’t typically Spanish hotels, you can get cheap rooms in good locations.Youth HostelsBackpackers or those travelling on a budget can get private rooms for a similar price to hotels or beds in a dormitory for much less. Of course, staying in a hostel is an experience in itself and is a great way to meet travellers like yourself. This is especially true if you're travelling on your own and are looking for others to explore the city with.The Cost of Eating in SpainEating in Spain isn’t always cheaper than eating in the UK. If you want to eat in restaurants, you can pay somewhere between €13 and €25 on average. This cost will add up if you eat in restaurants every day.Tapas is more than just food! (Source: unserekleinemaus)You can also eat fast-food for between €6 and €8. You can find all the regular chains as well as other fast-food places. That said, with so much good food and reasonably priced restaurants, it'd be a shame to regularly eat in McDonald's!Don’t forget to try the Spanish specialities. For example, a decent paella can cost between €10 and €15 per person. Make sure you keep in mind that paella is usually for multiple people.  A full Spanish omelette (tortilla) can be found for around €7 or €8.Don’t forget to get tapas, either! These small dishes can be a snack or part of a full meal and cost between €2 and €4 each. Whether it’s meat, fish, or vegetables, there’s something for everyone.When it comes to drinks, small beers cost between €1.50 and €3 and you can find mixed drinks for €5.If you don’t feel like eating out or your budget won’t allow it, you can always self-cater and make food in a kitchen in a youth hostel or an Airbnb. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our t utors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow Much Does Transport in Spain Cost?Accommodation, food, and transport are the three main parts of a travel budget. You mightn’t spend much on transport if you’re staying in the city centre as you can always travel on foot. You just have to walk from A to B, after all.For those who’d like to take a metro or bus, you can pay around €2 per trip. If you’re staying in a place for a while, you’ll probably want to get a weekly or monthly ticket. Make sure you research the different tickets available where you’ll be staying.Trav elling in Spain doesn’t mean that you have to stay in just one city.  Travelling within the country is quite reasonably priced as well. You can get buses between cities for around €30 or the train for around €50.If you want to drive around Spain, you should know that petrol costs around €1.25 per litre.How Much Does Shopping Cost in Spain?Spain is great for shopping since it tends to be cheaper than in the UK.There's also much less tax on cigarettes, for example. This is why many smokers tend to bring back as many cigarettes as they can.Ready to get some souvenirs? (Source: gonghuimin468)Clothes can cost up to a third less than they do in the UK. There are even chain stores charging less than they do in the UK. You could get dresses in chain stores for between €20 and €40. However, prices are getting closer to one another.Check out Spanish markets for cheap products. You can even haggle with some market stall owners.  When it comes to souvenirs, you may want to avoid tou risty stores, especially those in the little side streets. These tend to be more expensive than elsewhere. You’ll probably want to go to markets and get something like a good bottle of olive oil.How Much Do Attractions Cost in Spain?Some tourists only want to do free things like going to the beach or having a walk around. You can save a lot of money travelling like this.On the other hand, some people will want to see all the different attractions, visit museums, and learn a lot about Spain. If you’re 25 or under, you can get discounts or free entry to certain museums and art galleries. Similarly, you can also get discounts for students or seniors.A lot of museums are either free on the first Sunday of the month or free every Sunday afternoon. Check when there's free entry or discounted entry and you could save a lot of money!So How Much Should You Spend on Going to Spain?The budget of each traveller will vary depending on where they go and what they do. A backpacker won’t spen d the same amount as someone looking at cruises or exclusive beaches. However, everyone can save a bit of money on travel.Make sure you budget for visiting the top attractions! (Source: Patrice_Audet)On average, someone travelling alone spends an average of €75 per day. You can bring this number down if you do CouchSurfing, staying a people’s houses for free.If you travel as a couple, you’ll spend less for rooms as you can share. This tends to bring the price down to €65 per person per day.That said, some can spend up to €250 per day whereas others can live off €40 per day. You can find plenty of money saving tips on budget travel sites. Even if you're really frugal, you can travel the world without breaking the bank and Spain is a great destination for sightseeing on a budget. ¡Buen viaje!

Two Codes for Success in College and in Life (According to College Board)

Two Codes for Success in College and in Life (According to College Board) Last month, Thomas Friedman reported on College Board’s commitment to emphasizing the most empowering content areas and skills in the vast array of coursework and testing that they develop. According to David Coleman (Chief Operating Officer) and Stefanie Sanford (Chief of Global Policy and External Relations), for the last few years College Board has focused on two crucial codes: the U.S. Constitution and computer science. What is behind this focus and what does this mean for students? The College Board executives explain it pretty well: “If you want to be an empowered citizen in our democracyâ€"able to not only navigate society and its institutions but also to improve and shape them, and not just be shaped by themâ€"you need to know how the code of the U.S. Constitution works. And if you want to be an empowered and adaptive worker or artist or writer or scientist or teacherâ€"and be able to shape the world around you, and not just be shaped by itâ€"you need to know how computer s work and how to shape them.”The first code, that enshrined by the U.S. Constitution into legal code, is crucial as it applies to all of us and dictates the way society is run. Furthermore, the lively debate and differing readings of the same document offer intellectual challenge and opportunity for students of the law and of history. Our history and social science experts are here to support students who are making their first foray into the workings of legal and government systems in classes like AP U.S. History, AP U.S. Government, or AP Economics.The second code, the kind used by computer scientists, has broad and growing applications in technological and non-technological industries alike. It is clear to us in the Bay Area how computer science has gained a key role in California, the United States, and around the globe as tech companies grow in power and importance. Our AP Computer Science wizards can give students a leg up on some of the most cutting-edge and challenging sk ills and curricula offered at Bay Area schools. Whether it’s to support with a tough class or learn a new programming language over the summer, AJ Tutoring can help.As part of College Board focus, the SAT itself often features an excerpt from a founding document or other form of political writing or speech. Thus, paying attention in AP US History or AP US Government can pay off on the SAT, not just the AP exams! Our SAT experts can also help explain the most important comprehension strategies, which aid in breaking down dense language quickly and efficiently. Please reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help your student master the most important codes for success in today’s world!

How to Read Faster - Private Tutoring

How to Read Faster BobbiM Apr 21, 2014 Are you a slow reader? Would you like to increase your reading speed? Check out these helpful tips. -Choose high-interest material. It is best to push yourself to read faster with material that you are familiar with and enjoy. For example, if you like to read mystery novels, choose one to use for pushed reading. -Practice every day. To increase your reading rate, you will need to push yourself to read faster every day for 10 to 15 minutes. Use your local or school newspaper or anything that will sustain your interest for that amount of time. You might want to choose three or four brief articles and take a short break after each one. -Read at slightly-faster-than-comfortable-speeds. As you read, push yourself to read slightly faster than you usually do. You should feel a little uncomfortable reading at this speed and feel that you would prefer to slow down, but you should also sense that you understand what you are reading. -Check your comprehension. Increasing your reading rate while losing comprehension provides no benefit. Therefore, you need to check your comprehension of the material you are reading. However, because you are changing a habit, it is ok to have comprehension of only 70 to 80 percent of what you read during pushed reading. In fact, if you are having 100 percent comprehension you can probably push yourself to read faster. To check your comprehension, try to summarize the information. Did you identify all the key ideas? What about important details and examples? If you find that you are not comprehending the information, slow down a bit. -Try to read at the same time each day. Finding 15 minutes to read every day should not be much of a problem, but in order to keep an accurate record of your improvement you should try to find the time when you are most alert and try to read at that same time every day. -Dont give up. Improving your reading rate is a slow but steady process. You may make some great improvements one week then see little change the next. Dont worry about the fluctuations in your rate, as long as you are seeing an overall increase. However, if you find that you have gone several weeks without any improvement, make a conscious effort to push yourself even faster when you read. Excerpt from  College Success Strategies  by Sherrie L. Nist and Jodi Patrick Holschuh.

One Stupidly Easy E-book Hack Thatll Supercharge Your Language Learning

One Stupidly Easy E-book Hack Thatll Supercharge Your Language Learning One Stupidly Easy E-book Hack Thatll Supercharge Your Language Learning Reading a full-length book in a foreign language without much prior reading practice?Thats like trying to run a marathon without any training.Sure, it’s a great idea in theory, but youre unlikely to reach your end goal without petering out from pure exhaustion.We know academic research backs up the undeniable benefits of immersing yourself in a foreign text. For example, one study conducted at the Monterey Institute of International Studies showed that students acquire and retain verb conjugation skills through repeated exposure in written texts.And yet, so many of us find cracking open a massive volume of text nearly impossible. What if one simple tool could completely rewrite how you think about reading foreign materials?Instead of spending long hours trying to deduct meaning from confusing words youve yet to master, you could speed through pages and pages of text in about the same time it takes you to read in English. Think this sounds like nothing more than a pipe dream?Prepare yourself for a revolutionary technique thatll change your whole approach to learning through books. One Stupidly Easy E-book Hack Thatll Supercharge Your Language LearningAfter that massive buildup, brace yourself for this one word solution: e-books.Yeah, I know, it sounds super anticlimactic. After all, an e-book is just a physical book in digital form, so what’s the big deal? You see, e-books have one incredible advantage over physical textsâ€"most e-readers support in-line dictionaries.Do you see where this is headed?I stumbled upon this incredible language learning hack a few years ago, and I can honestly say it has changed my whole approach to reading in a foreign language. Simply install a foreign dictionary on your e-reader, download a book in your target language and start reading.As you encounter words youre unfamiliar with, click the text and an English definition (or, if desired, a definition in your target language) will be displayed immediately. Best of all, many e -readers will automatically save searched  words for later reference, making it super simple to engrave those new terms in your brain.Ready to get the ball rolling? Follow the 3 simple steps below to optimize your e-reader for your language learning needs and goals. I personally use this technique on a Kindle device and it works like a charm, but the approach is similar for all e-readers. Stop dreaming about the benefits of mastering a new language and start actually doing it.1. Procure the Right DictionaryIf youre anything like me, youll probably find modern literature a tad bit more stimulating than stuffy prose scribbled down two centuries ago.Yes, theres a time and place for Victor Hugo’s long-winded descriptions and colorful speech, but youll likely enjoy a recent novel more than Notre-Dame de Paris. Not only do contemporary writers tend to keep their stories moving more quickly, but they frequently use slang and everyday language you wont find in the tomes of the celebrated authors of the 1800s.While there are plenty of great dictionaries available to today’s language learners, you need to find an option that includes the commonplace words used by modern speakers. In an ideal world, youd be able to look up WordReference translations  and forum comments in a split second, but e-books havent quite made it to that point yet.Fortunately, you can locate a recent edition of a popular dictionary in most e-reader stores. Be sure to read over reviews from other buyers in order to find the right book for you. Also, keep in mind that you may want a dictionary that provides definitions in English! This could be key to helping you speed through your reading. If youre more advanced or if you feel like challenging yourself, try using a monolingual dictionary (all in the target language).As an aside, its worth mentioning that you can get in-line definitions for text on the web using WordReference’s engine! Plugins are available for both Chrome and Firefox. Feel ov erwhelmed by news stories or foreign blogs? This free tool is an absolute lifesaver.2. Choose a Well-liked BookLet me tell you a little secret: bad literature isnt any better in a foreign language.Don’t go through all the motions to optimize your e-reader only to discover youve picked up something truly atrocious.Instead, take your time reading the reviews for available novels and be sure to pick something from your preferred genre. For example, I eagerly devour mysteries and thrillers, which is why you’ll find my Kindle full of foreign titles in this niche. It’s much easier to push ahead if you enjoy the source material.By the way, if youre still unconvinced about choosing an e-book over a hard copy, I understand your pain. I still love and cherish my physical copies of my favorite books, and I completely sympathize with readers who feel hesitant to go digital.It’s worth noting, however, that unless you plan to make a quick jaunt overseas in the near future, youll likely ha ve some difficulty obtaining copies of recent books in your language of choice. Not only do you have to contend with limited distribution and international copyright issues, but many booksellers can’t justify importing large numbers of a book in a foreign language. Even if you can find a copy of what youre looking for, youll likely spend a small fortune to purchase it.E-books, on the other hand, are much more affordable and easily accessible to everyone. You may still encounter limited availability from time to time, but the problem is much less severe in the digital space. If youre a Kindle reader like I am, you might also want to give one of Amazon’s many independent publishers a shot.Im an avowed fan of many authors, both foreign and domestic, whove chosen to self-publish riveting stories you wont find on the shelves of traditional retailers. For example, if you were looking for a great French read, Id recommend that you check out Jacques Vandrouxs Les Pierres Couchéesâ€"thi s supernatural thriller was a favorite of mine last year.3. Practice Your New VocabularyLanguage learning is immensely enjoyable, but it does represent a certain time commitment.After becoming immersed in a fantastic foreign novel, I have often found myself guilty of speeding through the text rather than pausing to work on the new words Ive discovered. Dont fall prey to this trap, tempting as it may be to read your way to the final page in one sitting.Instead, try to work through your vocabulary in bite-sized chunks. Ive personally found it most useful to refer to my new vocab words after completing each new chapter. Many Kindle devices conveniently file every word you define into an app called Vocabulary Builder. You can refer to these words at any time and the devices even support flashcards for your vocab words.Your mileage may vary with other e-readers, so be sure to read up on the features of a potential device if youre considering a new purchase.As much as I appreciate the inn ovation of digital e-readers, I do have to admit that I still find it easier to retain words with physical flashcards.I simply copy my vocab words from my e-reader onto traditional index cards. And, of course, dont forget to feed your reading with other language development methods throughout your day. The ongoing exposure will help take your language skills into the stratosphere!Acquiring proficiency in a foreign language demands a hefty commitment of time and energy, but the satisfaction of speaking another language makes the sacrifice well worth it.As you use this simple reading tool to supercharge your retention skills, youre bound to notice a difference within a few months.The day you find yourself reading page after page without once referring to the dictionary translation, youll no doubt find yourself ecstatic with the progress youve made.Adam Zetterlund is a language enthusiast living in New York City. He spent five years honing his foreign language skills in Paris and Londo n, and he currently partners with a number of international clients in a marketing capacity. Learn more by reading his blog.And One More ThingIf youre digging these strategies, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more ex amples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.

Five Books for the Nature Lover in You

Five Books for the Nature Lover in You Are you a nature lover? Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Natures peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” John Muir, Our National Parks Youre sitting at your desk, staring at the blank page that should be an essay. Out of all the times to have writers block, your mind picks the weekend before a crucial due date. You look around, trying to find inspiration in just about anything. The dirty clothes, magazines, and movie tickets scattered on your floor fail to get the brain going. Suddenly, a monarch butterfly graces your window pane. Mesmerized by its other-worldliness, you start writing. Unless youre Nabokov, a butterfly might not be enough to type the next great novel, but you get my point. Nature has always been a source for inspiration, wonderment, and wisdom this applies to anyone, not just a nature lover. Sadly, were losing more and more of it everyday, but hope is not lost. Many communities, schools, and cities have taken initiative into their own hands; developing greener educational environments. For example, Moton Elementary school in Tampa Bay, Florida has created a gardening program that spans a students entire grade-school career. The program is a learning experience, with hopes to gain awareness that food and flowers come from the ground. Some of our greatest minds have been naturalist, botanists, and nature lovers. Where would we be as a nation without our National Parks? You have green thinkers such as John Muir to thank for that. Further, learning about nature through the passionate eyes of such men and women is inspiring for any student. Did you know Mr. Muir wept with happiness the first time he discovered the elusive Calypso borealis? Whether youre struggling to find some writing inspiration, or just need a good wave of intellectual curiosity, here are five naturalist books everyone should read. One last thing, make sure you read these under a tree, or by a babbling brook, well, just anywhere away from your Facebook. Enjoy. 5. Kindred and Related Spirits The Letters of John Muir and Jeanne C. Carr Edited by Bonnie Johanna Gisel Fate and flowers have carried me to California, and I have reveled and luxuriated amid its plants and mountains nearly four months John Muir In the rare situation of a light schedule, I enrolled in a three credit Nature and Religion course my senior year at Michigan State University. Though we only had a brief two days learning about John Muir, I was struck by his commitment. Recently, while searching the towering walls of books at Bargain Books in Van Nuys, I came across this charming collection of letters between the famed naturalist and his lifelong friend Jeanne C. Carr. Its an excellent documentation of Muirs growth as a botanist, as well as an incredible friendship. 4. Turtle Island Gary Snyder The first time I read about Gary Snyder was in Jack Kerouacs The Dharma Bums. As the inspiration behind the   Japhy Ryder, Snyders ecological wisdom finds its roots in indigenous spirituality, animism, and Buddhism. He seems almost mad with natural contentment Japhy notoriously treks the wilderness in the buff. More than just a poet, Gary Snyder was a dynamic educator. In this collection of poetry and straight talk, youll find an incredible amount of knowledge behind his imagery. 3. The Spiritual Emerson Essential Works by Ralph Waldo Emerson Odds are youre familiar with Ralph Waldo Emersons famous essay Self-Reliance, but its a shame to just stop there. A pioneer of transcendentalism, Emerson preached, through poetry and prose, that any and all individuals must find their own unique relation to the universe. Whether it be in solitude, under an old oak tree with nothing but songbirds to keep you company, or in front of a classroom, mankind is lost without nature. This Tarcher Cornerstone Edition includes such provoking essays as Circles, Fate, and much more. Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” 2. Silent Spring Rachel Carson The release of this book was paramount in starting the modern environmentalism movement. To put it simply, the natural world is as fragile as it is complex. Though our innovations are meant to make life easier, they sometimes cause dangerous side-effects. You may recall old footage from the 1950s of municipal vehicles driving down suburban streets, leaving a wake of chemical clouds in its path. What was so striking about this image was the children laughing and chasing the cars, encompassed by the mysterious cloud. The vehicles were spreading DDT, and its results were staggering . As the strongest pesticide the world had ever seen, DDT was successful in killing mosquitoes, and, at the time, believed to be safe. Nowadays, the idea of inhaling DDT is terrifying. Its a known carcinogen, and lethal to species other than mosquitoes. Thanks to the curious eye of some University students and professors, the mysterious death of thousands of birds caused an investigation that would lead to the poisonous culprit. Rachel Carsons, at the time controversial, book,   Silent Spring, allowed the world to become wise to the effects our actions have on the planet, and that we must be mindful of our relationship to it. 1. A Sand County Almanac: With Other Essays on Conservation from Round River Aldo Leopold Our ability to perceive quality in nature begins, as in art, with the pretty. It expands through successive stages of the beautiful to values as yet uncaptured by language.” The finest environmentalist writer since Emerson and Thoreau, Aldo Leopold captures the wisdom of our enormous planet in the frame of Wisconsins countryside. The author/ nature lover Demands an ethical relationship to nature, as well as an effortless wonderment of its beauty. Feeling inspired? Now that your essay is finished, how about a drive to Topanga park for a hike? Remember, inspiration can come from anywhere, but its up to you to discover it, Los Angeles!

How to Learn a Language by Yourself 5 Rockstar Tips for Success

How to Learn a Language by Yourself 5 Rockstar Tips for Success How to Learn a Language by Yourself: 5 Rockstar Tips for Success So youve decided that you want to learn a second language.Rock on! Good for you!But now what?  How are you going to do this on your own?Are you aiming too high? Can you really learn a language by yourself?Yes you can! So lets leave the doubts right here at the door and never look back.You  can  learn a language on your own, and to set you up for success Im sharing five awesome tips that are filled to the brim with actionable items you can start today! How to Learn a Language by Yourself: 5 Rockstar Tips for Success1. Work withâ€"Not Againstâ€"Your PsychologyIn language learning, it is  attitude, not aptitude, that determines success. -Steve KaufmannSet S.M.A.R.T. goalsIf you dont know where you are going, how are you ever going to get  there?  I know, it sounds like something that would be printed on one of those corny motivational posters from the 80s.  But its still a valid question to pose to oneself before embarking on a self-guided language learning mission.When most people th ink of goal setting, short-lived New Years resolutions probably come to mind. Many of us set out to conquer the world on January 1, vowing to learn a new language, drop ones spare tire, get out of debt, etc. Yet a few weeks later, we somehow find ourselves watching bad TV instead of studying, stuffing our face holes with pizza instead of broccoli and charging a new big screen on our Visa.But why does this happen? Is it simply a matter of laziness and weakness of character? Perhaps for some. But I think the  real  problem for most people is poorly defined goals. While  setting  goals is no guarantee that you will actually  achieve  them, it is an important step in the right direction.So whats the problem with most goals, especially the aforementioned resolutions? They are either vague, unmeasurable, unattainable, irrelevant to ones life, have no clear deadline or all of the above. To prevent such wimpy goals, try instead to employ the acronym S.M.A.R.T. to your language learning goal s. A smart goal is:Specific.Measurable.Attainable.Relevant.Time-bound.Instead of saying, I want to learn Spanish (What do you mean by learn? By when? For what purpose?), you can instead say, I am going to speak with my Spanish language partner every Wednesday for 15 minutes for the next 6 months. See the difference?Embrace the process over the destinationSetting goals is essential, but contrary to popular belief, picturing yourself attaining those goals is actually not as helpful as you might think. Positive thinking is great, but what ends up happening for many people is that they subconsciously think, I have already reached the goal, so why work so hard? I know, it sounds crazy, but its a real phenomenon. So set goals, yes, but instead of picturing  yourself crossing the finish line, visualize yourself actually running the race.View language learning as an adventure, not a choreInstead of telling yourself, I  have to  study a language today, use a little linguistic jujutsu and say instead, I  get  to study a language today. Yes, its a small change, but it can have a significant effect on your outlook and likelihood of staying the course day in and day out. Remember that languages are doorways into new lands, new cultures, new foods, new music and perhaps, new romances. The minutes and hours you spend today, could earn you years of joy down the road.Choose inherently enjoyable learning activitiesIf you wouldnt watch a soap opera in your native  language, why would you force yourself through one in your target tongue? (Well, all right, unless youre studying Spanishâ€"because Spanish soap operas are their own unique form of entertainment! But you see my point).  Part of making language learning fun is doing things in  the language that you would do anyway, activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.For me, its learning martial arts or other physical activities. The immediate physical context makes it much easier to figure out whats happening, helps make voca bulary stick (especially if someone  sticks  a punch because I did the drill wrong) and is inherently enjoyable in its own right. Do a quick survey of your personal passions and find some opportunities to do something with them using your target language.2. Design Your Environment to Maximize Language Input and OutputExcellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives. Choice, not chance, determines your destiny. -AristotleReplace your media with target language equivalentsIts imperative to stop choosing to study throughout your day. When you make your target language the  only  option, you have no choice but to get valuable exposure each and every day. And one of the best ways to limit choices and maximize learning is to switch all your sources of media (TV, movies, magazines, blogs, podcasts, etc.) to your target language. Place foreign film DVDs by the DVD player. Replace the magazines in the bathroom. Put a stack of foreign language manga next to the bed. You get the idea.And if youre looking for an easier and natural way to learn from foreign language media, then you should check out FluentU. FluentU takes real-world videos like music videos, movie trailers, and TV shows and turns them into language learning experiences. Its a terrific way to quickly pick up natural vocabulary and to learn with context.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interact ive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.Change all your devices to your target languageThis one is a game changer. Given how many hours a day most of us spend with our eyeballs glued to our various screens, changing the device display language can significantly increase our target language exposure. Granted, this increases passive reading input, not active speaking output (the most important language activity), but hey, every little bit helps.Best of all, you can make lots of educated guesses about new vocabulary based on your previous experience using the user interface in English. For example, if you are new to Japanese, you probably dont know the word for Settings in the language yet, but once you change your iOS interface to Japanese, you will see that ?? (settei) is written below the Settings icon. Boom. Thats one more word in the bag.Label key items in your home and office in the target languageAn old idea, but a good one. Just as changing your device language increases exposure to contextual vocabulary throughout your day, labeling items around your home and office accomplishes much of the same goal. The difference of course is that these labels will be providing less tech-centric input, meaning youll learn lots of useful real-life vocabulary thats necessary if you ever travel or live abroad.To get started, use Vocabulary Stickers, durable and removable labels that teach you the names of the most important items around your home and office, for hassle-free language lea rning. For languages with grammatical genders, the stickers are  even conveniently  color-coded so you learn the gender of each word as you learn the word itself.Create visual study cues and When I, then I statements to promote new habitsCreating new habits (or quitting old ones) can be an extremely difficult task, but there are a few tricks to stack the behavior change deck in your favor:Create constant visual reminders in your environment. Place flashcards on your nightstand, put language apps on the home screen of your device and swap out your media as discussed above.Create some When I do X, then I do Y statements. For example, When I wake up, then I immediately review 15 flashcards. Make these statements tied to specific times of day, specific locations or other activities you do on a regular basis.3. Track Your ProgressWhat gets measured gets managed. -Peter DruckerMeasure progress in hours, not yearsMost people assume that it will take years to learn a foreign language. And s ure enough, it does seem to take most folks at least a few years to reach conversational fluency in a foreign language. But this is because most people only put in a few hours (if not a few  minutes!) each week.But if you made language learning your number one priority and put in at least an hour  every day, you would be able to reach your fluency goals far faster. Forget about years. Such measurements of time are too big and too intimidating to be of much good for our purposes.Instead, try to keep track of how many  hours  you spend actively learning the language each day. If you are not improving as fast as you want, the answer is very likely that you are not putting in enough hours each week. But unless you measure, you wont know. You will likely feel like you are putting in gobs of time, but may in fact be doing very little.Record yourself speaking at least once a monthWhile there are many ways to measure your progress, unscripted speaking is by far the best test of your actual level in a language. It doesnt matter what device you use (smartphone, tape recorder or phonograph), just make sure you do it at regular intervals. I recommend once a month so that there will be enough time to seeâ€"or rather  hearâ€"observable progress.Write a daily journal in your target languageWhile speaking ability is the main goal for most language learners, writing skills should not be underestimated. Keeping a daily journal in your foreign language is a great way to both improve your word smithing skills while also measuring your progress over time. The journal doesnt need to contain beautiful, flowing prose. The only requirement is that you get words down on paper (or on the screen) on a daily basis. Months later, you can then go back and review what youve previously written. You will be amazed how far youve come!4. Create a Tribe: Learning By Yourself Does Not Mean Learning AloneYes, I think its okay to abandon the big, established, stuck tribe. Its okay to say to them, Yo ure not going where I need to go, and theres no way Im going to persuade all of you to follow me. So rather than standing here watching the opportunities fade away, Im heading off. Im betting some of you, the best of you, will follow me.' -Seth GodinGet a tutor, language exchange partner or private teacherThough the title of this post is How to Learn a Language by Yourself, I am in no way encouraging you to learn in isolation. You must (I repeat, must) apply what you learn by interacting with native speakers. What I am saying is that you dont need to attend formal classes to do that. With the advent of Skype (and similar VOIP services), you can now interact with native speakers of nearly any language, just about everywhere. There are countless free (or at least affordable) language exchange sites, some of which even connect you with professional teachers. My favorite is iTalki, but you can Google around until you find something you like.Find or make friends learning the same languag eLearning alone is not only boring, its also a recipe for failure. Having at least one friend learning the same language as you means that you will have a trusted confidant to share with, whether its sharing resources or venting frustrations. It also allows for a little friendly competition.5. Consistency Trumps Quantity: Make at Least a Little Progress Every DayYou dont set out to build a wall. You dont say Im going to build the biggest, baddest, greatest wall thats ever been built. You dont start there. You say, Im going to lay this brick as perfectly as a brick can be laid. You do that every single day. And soon you have a wall. -Will SmithCommit to a small amount of study every day no matter whatIs it better to study five hours a day than five minutes? Sure. But its also way better to study five minutes a day than not at all. No matter how many curve balls, emergencies or defeats your day throws at you, do your very best to fit in at least a tiny bit of language study. Even if i t means just reviewing one single flashcard. When you completely miss a day, you are that much more likely to miss the next, and then the next, and so on.  Dont let yourself break the streak.Use hidden moments throughout the dayAs I mentioned in my last post, hidden moments are a great way to squeeze in language learning time even in the busiest schedule. Any time you find yourself waiting for something (may it be waiting in line or waiting for the elevator), whip out some flashcards or listen to a podcast. A few seconds here, a few minutes there, can all add up to a big chunk of time at the end of the day.Study first thing in the morningLiterally, put language learning first. Before you do anything else in your day, make sure that you spend a little bit of time listening, speaking, reading or writing. That way, no matter how many TPS reports you end up having to resubmit at the office, you will have already checked off language study from your list of daily commitments.Do you feel confident now? You should, because you  can learn a language by yourselfâ€"and feel like a rock star as you progress towards reaching your specific language goals.Just put these tips into action and youll be on the road to success.Good luck!John Fotheringham is a linguist, author, entrepreneur, pun aficionado, and full-time silly goose. As both learner and teacher, he has spent the last decade testing first hand what works, and perhaps more importantly, what doesn’t. He shares these results on his blog, Language Mastery, in his podcast, The Language Mastery Show, and in his comprehensive language learning guides, Master Japanese and Master Mandarin.