How is Middle Eastern Food Adopted Around the World

How is Middle Eastern Food Adopted Around the World How Does Traditional Middle Eastern Food Look Like Around the World? ChaptersWhat Is The Difference between Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Food?Some Middle Eastern SpecialtiesDifferences within Regional DishesMiddle Eastern Dishes in the WorldFrom harissa to za'atar, the recent years have seen a rise in the popularity of Middle Eastern cuisine. According to a recent forecast published by Reuters, the hummus industry alone is expected to reach 1.1 billion by the year 2027. With the increased globalization of Middle Eastern food, it can be hard to keep track of what exactly this style of cooking consists of. Here's a guide to get you started on what Levantine food is, and how it has been adapted to the palate of the world's countries.The Middle East is extremely diverse, from deserts to fertile plains GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30 /h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Is The Difference between Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Food?Whether you’re a hardcore vegetarian or carnivore, chances are you’ve probably tried Middle Eastern cuisine. From the spiced, grilled meat slow cooked on skewers we know as kebab, to the lemony tabouleh we’ve both tried at Middle Eastern restaurants or picked up at the grocery stores â€" Middle Eastern recipes don’t just offer a wide variety main dishes, they’re also extremely flavourful and delicious.As with any culture, the origins of a main dish or a side dish can be highly contested in the Middle East, beginning with the distinctions between Middle Eastern and Medite rranean cuisine. Starting with what both styles of cooking have in common, the similarity in the region’s dishes comes from a shared history spanning the centuries.Commonly known as the Levant region, a study done at the University of Sydney found that this region’s diet tended to be “less processed compared to western diets as it is based on whole foods.” One example of this can be found in mezze, or meze, which is eaten in the Middle East, Balkans, Greece, and North Africa. This is a type of large platter that involves a host of appetizers including stuffed grape leaves, yogurt sauce, fava beans, lentils, figs, pistachios, burghul, labneh and more.The countries surrounding the Mediterranean basin, from Arabic and Greek speaking countries to Turkish and Italian ones, have also enjoyed the a shared agricultural and trade history. This is the reason why you can find pitta chips, or pita chips, and other flatbread or kofta, or kafta, and kibbeh in Lebanese food as well as in C yprus.While many a Middle Eastern restaurant has been known to serve up only the most popular of dishes, whether that be shish kebabs, tabbouleh or baba ghanoush, there are many ways in which each country within and around the Middle East has adapted these famous platters. This stems from differences in the guidelines set out by eating halal, availability in spices like paprika and cardamom, and culture.Some Middle Eastern SpecialtiesWhether someone from the Middle East is Lebanese, Kuwaiti or Yemeni, they’re bound to have tried these tasty dishes and traditional treats before. Here are some of the most common dishes you’re likely to find either in restaurants, in your travels to the Middle East, or at your friend’s house.HummusUnless you’ve been living under a rock for a couple of years, you’ve probably tried hummus. If you’ve ever googled where hummus comes from, or bring it up with your Middle Eastern friends, you probably also know that it’s origins are highly cont ested.Everybody can agree, however, that this delicious chickpea and tahini sauce based dip is absolutely delicious. Typically eaten with flatbread like pitta bread, or pita bread, hummus can be found in Egyptian, Greek, Saudi Arabian or Lebanese cuisine.Look up for the best cooking courses London on Superprof.FalafelWhether you’re used to having it in a kebab, or kabob, or prefer it as a side dish, falafel can be found from Beirut to Dubai. As far as fast food goes, falafel is probably one of the healthiest options. Made of ground chickpeas or fava beans, herbs like parsley and coriander, and spices like cumin and cayenne, falafel is jam packed with fibre.A Mediterranean grill can include veggies, skewered meat and moreShawarmaTaken from the Turkish doner kebab, originating from the Ottoman Empire, shawarma is meat slowly cooked on a skewer. Typically made from lamb, chicken, turkey and beef, this meat is prepared by shaving off slices from the spit and serving it in pitta or oth er flatbreads in a sandwich.BaklavaBaklava is, again, one of those rich food items found in the Middle East that can be made in countless different ways. In its essence, It is a pastry that is made out of filo, or puff pastry, and stuffed with nuts like pistachio, rose water, orange flower water or syrup. From Iraqi baklava to Armenian paklava, this is a desert that you’ll never tire of trying.FattoushIf you haven’t already gotten the idea that dishes in the Middle East can be found in an endless, delectable combination, here’s another example that typifies the variation of the region’s cuisine. Fattoush is a salad dish that is typically made with cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, radish and green onions. It can also include pitta bread or herbs and spices like mint and sumac, or za atar.Differences within Regional DishesWhether you’ve eaten chicken shawarma, had some ground lamb or drank Turkish coffee, Middle Eastern countries have each put their own spin on popular dishes. H ere are some of the differences you’re likely to encounter form country to country.PalestineWhile there’s been heavy focus on the Palestinian conflict, the region is also home to a historically and culturally beautiful and important people. One way in which to experience this is simply by looking at the history of Palestinian food.Knafa is one important variation on baklava. Known also as Kanafeh, it is made out of semolina and syrup â€" the difference being that it also uses cheese as its main ingredient. Similar cheese based deserts can be found in Turkey where it is known as tel kadayif, around the Balkan countries as kadaif, or in Greece as kataifi.YemenAnother region that has seen political strife result in devastation, Yemen has been racked by a sever famine that has led to one of the worst humanitarian crisis of the decade. While it is important to understand what is happening in the region, it is equally as vital to underscore the beauty in Yemeni culture.To do this, you can start by appreciating some of the typical dishes. Maraq, a stew whose ingredients involve spices like turmeric, cinnamon and cardamom, is mutton based and can actually be found in countries like India and Somalia. It is often also compared to Moroccan tagine because of the variations it can take on.IranThe second largest country in the Middle East, it boasts one of the oldest civilizations in the world and is currently notorious for its oil power as well as political instability. Another thing that Iran is famous for, and a great way to start understanding the country’s history, is its food.Bademjan, a dish typically made in big batches, is the Iranian response to baba ghanoush. Cooked for longer, and also involving a yogurt or sour cream sauce known as kashk, bademjan is typically also eaten with flatbreads like lavash. Some other countries that have their own unique variations of baba ghanoush, or baba ghanouj, include Libya’s mtabal â€" which adds tahini sauce instead of sour cream.Falafel has its variations around the globeMiddle Eastern Dishes in the WorldThe rise in popularity of Mediterranean food around the world in the recent decades has not only led to the proliferation of classic dishes  and the most popular recipes, but also to a fusion between these dishes and the countries of the world.In fact, in London, the Middle Eastern restaurant the Palomar was voted the restaurant of the year by the Observer Food Monthly. Originating from Israel, many of the dishes featured at the restaurant offer a preview of the various types of cuisine that can be found in the Middle East. From Jerusalem style polenta to Persian pappardelle, this is just one example of how a variety of Middle Eastern recipes can be found so far from home.One interesting way in which Middle Eastern food has been adapted oversees can actually be found in Mexico. Tacos “al pastor,” or shepherd style, actually originate from Lebanese immigrants in Mexico. In its essence, the ta cos are made from meat that are cooked in the style of the shawarma. The major difference is in how the meat is served: where in the Middle East it is typically eaten with flatbread, in Mexico it is eaten with tortilla, coriander and onion.Another popular variation on falafel can be found in India. Because of the Mediterranean’s relationship with Asia, with some of its countries being located on the Asian continent, it follows naturally that there tends to be a lot of crossover within the two regions’ cuisine. Ambode is made up of chana dal, also known as Bengal gram, which is a product of black chickpeas. While this fried ball still uses ingredients like coriander, onion and garlic, it also adds flavours typified by the region such as curry leaves, chilis and coconut.

Taking Care of Business 7 Essential Spanish Words for Business Professionals

Taking Care of Business 7 Essential Spanish Words for Business Professionals Sign up successful No matter which industry you’re pursuing, here are seven essential Spanish words for business professionals. 1. Cuenta  (Account) This refers to a bank account. Luckily, you can use the same term  when you talk about anybody related to the account, such as the account holder or account manager. Tip:  Be careful not to confuse cuenta (account)  with bill (which is also cuenta). You  can avoid confusion by looking at the context in which the word is used. Also, you can use cuenta  for cuentas por pagar (accounts payable)  and cuentas por cobrar  (accounts receivable.)  Once again, pay close attention to context to  figure out which cuenta you are using. 2. Cierre  (Business death or closing) Using this term can be tricky. Not only is cierre the imperative form of the verb to close, but it also has different meanings in the business world. Cierre can mean two things in a business context: it can mean that business is ending (due to a death), or it can refer to giving money or a loan to another person or organization (a business deal closing). 3. Arrendamineto (Lease) As Im sure you know, a lease is an agreement between two parties where one person (the lessor), rents something to the other person  (the renter). Why is the term included in this list? Because, as with many Spanish words, it has a lot of synonyms. Arrendamiento, renta, inquilinato, arriento, and seción all mean lease.  In this particular case, it does not matter which one you choose, but you should be aware of all the different words  so you  will understand them if you hear or see them. 4. Opción  (Option) In everyday speech, an opción is a choice  which  allows you to make a decision. In the business world, an  opción  is  the right the buyer gets by paying a fee to sell or buy shares during a pre-determined time period. Once again, pay close attention to context. 5.  Opción estadounidense  (American option) No, this does not refer to the United States of America having a special option or treatment on a deal.   This is one of those times when, even though literal translations are the same, the meaning is not what you would expect. An American option refers to an option that can take place any time in the  pre-determined time period. 6.  Opción europea   (European option) Yes, you guessed right!   This does not refer to the continent. In fact, its another type of option (business option). It refers to the option that can take place  only on a pre-determined day/expiration date. I bet after this one you feel like youre getting the hang of it, right? 7. Flujo de efectivo   (Cash flow) When  youre high up in the business world  and own your own company, you will definitely care about this term. The cash flow is a monthly description of how the money moves within a  company. This helps the company look at  expenses, earnings, future projections, and where theres room for improvement. Why is this one on the list?   Because its one of the most widely used expressions  in business.   This concept will come up  during meetings and business discussions,  so its important to learn it now. Keep in mind  that there are several other Spanish words  that are  specific to the business world, but  many of them can be quite confusing. Luckily,  there are lots of knowledgeable,  well-qualified Spanish teachers who  want to help you learn and succeed. Now, go study  Spanish so you can work your way to the top. ¡Buena suerte! Post Author: Montserrat P. Montserrat P. teaches violin and music theory lessons with TakeLessons. Originally from Costa Rica, she is now completing her studies at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. She is bilingual in English and Spanish, and has been teaching music lessons since 2012. Learn more about Montserrat here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

8 Videos That Prove Math Is Awesome

8 Videos That Prove Math Is Awesome Math is actually an art and doing Math is wonderful once you make it fun learning. Still, there are students who skip Math classes and dread numbers. They are afraid to face the complexity of Math and feel unsuitable for Math skills. If they follow some Math videos, they understand how Math is easy to learn. Here are some videos for you to learn Math with real interest and fun. 1. Minute Physics: Taming Infinity This video is about adding up infinity, even past infinity, in a series of numbers which get bigger every single time. Can you guess the answer? Can you believe that it is -1? The series Minute Physics comes out of its titular subject (Physics) to explore how to resolve unsolvable problems in this video. It shows how Math and its principles influence Science and methods of experimentation at large. 100 #LessonPlans And Ideas For Teaching #Math http://t.co/gWy2T5eKsT â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) August 3, 2015 2. Doodling in Math class: Stars Doodling in Math class is a very common thing if you are not interested in what is going on in the class or the lecture given by the teacher. Many start drawing in the class or do some such thing to while away the time. Understanding this fact, Math professor and musician Vi Hart has made her Math lessons into artistic ventures in her Doodling in Math class series. In the episode of ‘Stars’ she relates factoring to drawing stars and makes it extremely interesting to learn. How to Solve #Algebra Word Problems in 5 Steps http://t.co/kg6CqctO6O #backtoschool #homeschooling pic.twitter.com/wApx3S0D5R â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) August 4, 2015 3. TED Education: How Does Math Guide Our Ships? Math was the source for navigating ships before the introduction of GPS and calculator. Sailors and shipmen had to be good at this to know the island stops and avoid any sea disaster. This TED Education video explores the worlds of Algebra and Geometry to tell how mathematicians and explorers of the world put their heads together to find a reliable method of navigating open water. The video is informative, beautiful and shows how Math has become part of our life in all past, present and future. Tutor Pace Online #Math #Tutoring For #College Grade In Just $99.99 With 20% #Discount For The First 100 #Students http://t.co/XnH263CTbZ â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) August 11, 2015 4. Numberphile: Infinity is Bigger than You Think Infinity is a concept that is awesome, exciting and also overwhelming. We come across lots of hang ups, puzzles about infinity. But we do not know where infinity starts and where it ends. This video explains how infinity presents itself in different aspects from fractions to uncountable decimals and it offers discussion about the implications of infinity. It is really a mind blowing video. Do You Hate Math? 5 Ways To Instill A Love Of Math In Kids http://t.co/SDnaKpFKp5 #backtoschool #homeschooling pic.twitter.com/afIR8VqvZx â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) August 12, 2015 5. Valentine’s Day for Math Nerds It is pretty hilarious to observe that this subject is secretly there even in holidays. The For Nerd Series is a crowd pulling video series of Josh Sundquist inviting Math nerds to develop graphs and equations based on statistics and stories about a certain theme. This video is a little lighter Math with fun presenting graphs and data for Valentine’s Day from the money leaving a boy’s wallet over time to decide the gift for valentine, based on level of love and expense. Tutor Pace Offering #HighSchool #Math #Tutoring In Just $299.99, 20% #OFF To 1st 50 #Students http://t.co/Nd0pgaMK1l pic.twitter.com/2fSOZd24Y1 â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) August 6, 2015 6. Japanese Multiplication Japanese Multiplication is a quick and simple way of visually multiplying numbers of any size with a few well-placed lines. It helps you in quick situations and SAT style number crunching. This video makes it all the more easy for breaking down the pesky problems with two quick visual tricks. 7. Quick Math Tricks for Film Makers Do you know that it helps you take better pictures and videos? If you are a passionate photographer, you know that there is a lot of Math behind photography. You need to know Algebra and Geometry to get a perfect shot for you.This video presents the skills that you need to calculate your pics and video Mathematics with speed and accuracy. 8. The Utilities Problem (and Solution) It is a simple problem: There are three houses and three utilities. You have to connect each utility to each house without crossing the lines. You find it hard and not possible. Then you find the explanation or solution that this problem is based on a trigonometric formula which has many implications in the world of Math. Thus videos are the presenters of facts and ideas in an interesting and lively manner for us to follow, enjoy and learn. Join online Math tutoring to know more about such videos as online Math tutors introduce many of them in their course of tutoring to better student understanding of a Math concept.

Quadratic Function with Word Problem

Quadratic Function with Word Problem Quadratic function is a function which contains a quadratic equations. Quadratic means square. The function which has the highest degree for the variable as two is called a quadratic function. So the degree of the polynomial for a quadratic function is always 2. The quadratic function is used to solve many kinds of questions which include word problems. The general form of a quadratic function is written as ax2 + b x + c. Here x is the unknown variable and a. b. c are the constants. Example 1: Find the two positive numbers where the smaller number is one less than the greater number. The product of the number is 6? Solution: Let the greater number = x. This makes the smaller number = x -1. The product of the two number is x(x - 1) = 6 This gives x2 - x - 6 = 0. Now factoring the equation gives (x - 3) (x + 2) = 0 The positive value of x = 3 Therefore, the two numbers are 3 and 2 respectively. Example 2: Find the two positive numbers where the greater number is three more than the smaller number. The product of the number is 10? Solution: Let the smaller number = x. This makes the greater number = x + 3. The product of the two number is x(x + 3) = 10 This gives x2 +3 x - 10 = 0. Now factoring the equation gives (x + 5) (x - 2) = 0 The positive value of x = 2 Therefore, the two numbers are 2 and 5 respectively.

Online Education Pitfalls

Online Education Pitfalls Online education: it seems so simple, so convenient. So perfect for you? It could be; however, there are several mistakes that online teachers frequently see students make, according to The US News World Report. The US News World Report published eight, common mistakes associated with online education. 1. Not verifying the schools credibility: Most students go to college and other schools to receive credits. However, some employers and colleges simply will not accept some online schools credits. They put no credence in some of these unaccredited online schools. Therefore, attending certain online schools are a waste of time and money. Students should verify an online colleges accreditation with the federal government. Also, students should check with other colleges and companies to find out if they will accept credits from a certain online school. 2. Underestimating the workload of online schools: How hard can a college be when one can go to class at his/her computer in pajamas, eating a gargantuan bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, not caring about the cinnamon swirled milk thats dripping down the chin? Welljust as hard as any traditional college with a 100+ person lecture hall. Sometimes these online classes can be harder than attending a traditional college. Students should understand the workload of an online college before attending and paying for it. 3. Not understanding what type of learner you are: Online education is much more disconnected than a traditional college experience. You cant nudge your neighbor and ask for a pencil. You cant tell the professor to slow down. There is much less interaction between professor and student. Some students can watch the lecture online and quickly understand it. However, others rely on asking questions before and after class. Some rely on the experience of being in a class room more than others. Students need to be very self-motivated to succeed in an online scenario and attentively watch lectures. Its much harder to pay attention to an online lecture when there is a TV staring over your shoulder, prying your attention away from a man in a bow tie talking about economics. 4. Technology/Compatibility issues: Students should ensure that they will be able to watch class lectures and receive all of the necessary information on their home computers. Slow Internet connections could be a problem. Also, students should check to see which computer programs are needed for the class such as Microsoft Excel, Adobo Photoshop, etc. 5. Having a bad teacher: Teaching online is far different than teaching in a traditional classroom. You might already know more about this than some professors do because you just read the previous sentence. Its better to take online classes with a professor who has previously taught online courses. 6. Taking too many classes: Ever heard of the saying, your eyes are bigger than your stomach? Well, similar to that, your mouse clicker is bigger than your brain. Get it? No? Ok, how about this then: online education can be more demanding than traditional, and students should ease into the process; rather than immediately diving into several, challenging classes. 7. Plagiarizing: Its never a good idea. With online education, teachers can download anti-cheat software to scan papers for plagiarism. Avoid the temptations; its easier to get caught with online classes. 8. Not keeping up with group projects: No normal civilian, other than professors and teachers, will ever fully understand why teachers love group projects so much. There are many speculations and theories. The strongest is that they better prepare students for the real world. Group projects do successfully achieve that goal. But, teachers just love them. Online teachers are no different, and students in online classes will likely participate in virtual group projects with other online students. These are much different than traditional group projects, and students need to be able to work well with others online. Essentially, online classes are incredibly different than traditional classes. Students need to fully understand the differences.

Improving Your Singing Start With Your Posture

Improving Your Singing Start With Your Posture Suzy S. Want to instantly improve your singing? One great tip for learning how to sing better is as simple as establishing good posture. Read on as Philadelphia voice teacher Emily E.  offers some helpful advice Many students come to me wanting to improve their singing voice and expect me to focus on their throat and the two little magic pieces of tissue that come together to make a beautiful sound. But I’ll let you in on a little secret: really excellent singing is all about using your entire body effectively so that your vocal folds (a.k.a. vocal cords) do as little work as possible. In order to begin to get the most out of your body â€" and therefore out of your voice â€" take a moment to look at how you stand to sing. I always evaluate a student’s stance at the beginning of the first lesson, and I love how making a few changes almost always immediately makes them sound better. You can do this at home in three simple steps: 1. Stand on two feet. Sounds silly, but if you’re shifting your weight onto one foot or another, leaning against the piano or the wall, or standing with one foot behind the other, you won’t have a strong, steady foundation from which to sing. 2. Stand with your feet hip width apart. “Hip width” means that your toes should be under your hip joint, NOT the outside of your hips. Find the points of your hip bones and draw an imaginary line down to your feet. Or, see if you can fit a fist between your feet â€" your stance should be a little wider than that fist. Now your body is balanced and better aligned. 3. Soften your knees and your hips. This is the most difficult part of the stance to find, develop and master, because it relates to how you breathe to sing. Locking your knees so they’re stiff, rigid, and/or inflexible also locks your lower back, which prevents you from taking a full, deep, strong breath. Think about softly bouncing in your knees, wiggling your hips side to side, or “tucking your tailbone” if you know that concept from yoga classes. This will create a more energized and engaged lower body that can better support your breath and your voice. Every body is different, and every person will encounter different challenges when preparing to sing. But you wouldn’t start construction on a house until you’d laid the foundation, right? The same thing applies to your voice! Emily E. teaches singing, Broadway singing, music performance, music theory, opera voice and speaking voice lessons to students of all ages in Philadelphia, PA. With a Masters degree in Musicology Performance from the University of Oxford, Emily joined the TakeLessons team with over 7 years of teaching experience. Learn more about Emily, or search for a teacher near you! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Jlhopgood

How to Know if Your German Lessons Have Paid Off

How to Know if Your German Lessons Have Paid Off How To Test Your Level in German After your German Course ChaptersOptions For Studying GermanInformation On German GCSE Level CoursesAn Overview Of German A Level CoursesWhat A German Degree Has To OfferAlternative Qualifications For German EnthusiastsSo you’ve been hard at work studying German, perhaps even visiting German-speaking countries to enhance your studies, and now know deep within that you’ve reached a certain level in the language.But how do you prove to others, as well as to yourself, that you are in actual fact working at that level?Even though the reception you get when conversing with native speakers is good, not even this type of confirmation is enough to prove to prospective employers that you can get by in the language.Recruiters will usually want concrete evidence of your language ability in the form of a recognised qualification or alternative certificate.The Goethe-Institut examinations are well-known across the world and the certificate that is awarded at the end of the course is accepted as a valid qualification by most employers and further education establishments in a number of countries.The language courses have been designed in conjunction with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and offer options ranging from A1 (beginner) to C2 (advanced).Centres Offering Goethe-Institut ExaminationsCentres across the UK and beyond offer the Goethe-Institut certificate, including the languages centres of Durham University and Manchester University.You can choose to study German at university, either on its own or with another subject. Photo via VisualHuntThe International ECLThe European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment of Languages, mercifully abbreviated to the three-letter acronym above, provides a standardised examination of the languages of European Union member states.Unlike its more exacting sister-test, the CEFRL, the ECL challenges second-language speakers only at four levels. They are:A2-Waystage: beyond the ability to conduct simple conversations in a language, A2 proves those candidates to be nearly at the threshold of intermediate language skills.B1-Threshold: at this level, the candidate proves s/he can negotiate daily transactions and formulate full sentences, albeit with some grammar errors and with incomplete vocabularyB2-Vantage: these candidates are able to expound on a wide variety of topics from business to the arts.C1-Effective Operational Proficiency: the candidate has the ability to formulate ideas and express them with little to no grammatical errors or deficiency in vocabulary.As with other language proficiency exams, the ECL tests in all four areas of language competence: reading and writing as well as speaking and listening comprehension.However, there are no grammar exercises; more specifically, grammar knowledge is tested by the candidate’s ability to use the language correctly. Translation does not feature at all in this exam.This ordeal is conducted in two parts: the oral exam designed to challenge liste ning and speaking skills and the written portion is meant to assess the test taker’s ability to understand and communicate non-verbally.Each of the four skills is tested by two tasks, meaning you will have two listening exercises, two writing exercises and will sit two interviews â€" possibly with two different interviewers.Candidates may choose to sit the ECL exam for German at any of the five scheduled testing dates throughout the year, and at the testing site closest to them. You only need to refer to the ECL homepage to find the location nearest you!TestDaFTest Deutsch als Fremde Sprache, literally Test of German as a Foreign Language is a language proficiency exam for non-native speakers.This standardised language exam is geared towards people who aspire to study in Germany and at academics and scientists who wish to work or conduct research in partnership with German universities.As expected by the exam’s anticipated audience, it goes further and gets more specific than th e standard CEFRL tests.Accordingly, levels A1, A2 and B1 â€" basic to low-intermediate language skills do not figure in this assessment; one must have more than a fundamental grasp on the mechanics and vocabulary of the German language to even consider signing up for it.As with all other language certification exams, this one tests all four components of language.To demonstrate your reading comprehension, you will be presented with three texts, each followed by 10 questions. These texts are progressive in their levels of difficulty and you will be expected to understand not only the information overtly presented but also grasp implicit information and nuance.The challenge to your speaking abilities is relatively short â€" only 30 minutes but requires you to address seven situations you might encounter at university: a conversation with fellow students, with your research team, with a department head.You may also be tasked with describing a graph or interpreting data, formulating a h ypothesis based on given parameters... or expressing your opinion on a certain topic.Unusually for a language certification exam, rather than simply passing or failing it, you will be awarded a level of proficiency based on your performance. Those levels are as follows:TDN3: the lowest level one must reach. Failure to do so will result in an ‘unter TDN3’ printed on your exam certificate. (That means under level TDN3). The other marks, logically, are TDN4 and TDN5.As for how they match up to CERFL’s A1-C2 scale:TDN3 and the lower range of TDN4 correspond to B2 on the CERFL scalethe upper TDN4 range through TDN5 equate to CERFL’s C1 rank.Unlike other exams in which the candidate selects the level s/he wishes to test at, the same TestDaf exam is administered to every candidate regardless of his/her proclaimed (or demonstrated) ability.None of this means that unless you’re an academic, this certification exam is closed to you if, in fact, you are highly proficient in the langu age. To the contrary, the acquisition of such a certificate has many uses.Let us suppose you have earned your BA Honors and are working toward your teaching certification, with the intent of becoming a German language teacher.It would be a good idea to prove your language competencies beyond what your Bachelors’ degree confers onto you. Sitting the TestDaF is the perfect way to do so!What if you were fortunate to take part in an Erasmus exchange programme?While the mention of that illustrious learning opportunity would indeed look very good on your CV, rounding out your proven skills set with a TestDaf certification is sure to put you ahead of the competition, job-wise!The International BaccalaureateThe concept of educational techniques for peace was formalised by a French educator named Marie-Therese Maurette.Starting out as an educator at the International School of Geneva, she went on to lead that school for a quarter-century. Her pedagogy â€" indeed her leadership of that reno wn institution were based on respect and openness and revolved around an international perspective.So impressive was her teaching philosophy that UNESCO requested that she publish an outline of it.With a pedigree such as this, it should come as no surprise that the International Baccalaureate, with its roots in Ms Maurette’s ideology, is the Rolls Royce of educational certification.Today, the International Baccalaureate programme consists of four levels; development may start in students’ primary school years and continue through middle school. It then splits into two branches, the career-related programme and the Diploma programme.It is with the latter track, aimed at 16- to 19-year-olds, that we find an opportunity for certifying one’s ability to speak and understand German.The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) provides internationally recognised and accepted qualification for gaining entry to universities all over the world.By far more challenging than ou r A-Levels, the IBDP delivers an assessment of students’ abilities in six subjects and three core requirements. They are:Theory of Knowledge: a 100-hour mandatory study course that examines the nature and limitations of knowledge as well as determining the validity and meaning of knowledge. At the end of the course, students deliver a 1,600-word essay and present their conclusions.Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS): this is the portion of the programme where students are encouraged to expand their civic obligations, release their creativity and pursue activities conducive to personal growth. The general expectation is for students to spend between three and four hours engaged in suitable tasks each week.An extended essay: the candidate selects a topic from a list and delivers a 4,000-word independent research work.None of this sounds much like certifying one’s language skills... that is, until you get to the second of the aforementioned six subjects that comprise the exam: L anguage Acquisition.In case you were interested, the first one is Studies in Language and Literature, taken in your native language.You may choose to test at Standard Level or Higher level â€" a more rigorous challenge that includes literature from your chosen second language. Please note that you will not be called on to interpret or analyse those texts; they are used merely to assess your level of linguistic comprehension.Should you elect to test at Standard Level, (there is no shame in that!) you may elect to review such a literary text rather than tackle one of the optional topics offered.So, what can an International Baccalaureate do for you?Aside from expanding your critical thinking ability and prepare you to be a better global citizen, it can certify your German language skill with authority and veneration.An IB is accepted at most if not all UK universities; you may even enrol for study in a German institute of higher learning with your IB, provided you meet their more stri ngent criteria.And, we can’t stress this enough: the prestige of having earned an international certificate of learning puts you far ahead of the competition, both in academics and in the job market!Need more tips and tricks to learn German? Check them out here.You can also find german lessons london, as well as other cities across the country,With multiple options open to you and every German language learner, there is no reason for you to delay asserting your skills!

Monday Link Roundup (December 4)

Monday Link Roundup (December 4) How to Get Your Mind to ReadIf you have a child who can technically read but who struggles to make sense of what theyre reading, this article is for you. Reading for understanding doesnt just require sounding out words on a page it also requires having enough factual knowledge to fill in gaps. (Editors note: this is a hugely underrated component of success on standardized tests like the SAT, which includes sophisticated passages about history, the sciences, etc.)10 Things to Know About Getting Into Your Dream CollegeOpen those emails. Connect with admissions officers. Let them know when you visit campus.Fractions: Where It All Goes WrongAn interesting discussion of the perennial challenge of teaching fractions. When asked whether 12/13 + 7/8 was closest to 1, 2, 19, or 21, only 24% of a nationally representative sample of more than 20,000 US 8th graders answered correctly. Hint: the answer is 2.Six Myths About Choosing a College MajorSTEMs not necessarily where the moneys at, you ma y not even need a major, and more.Journaling the Old-School WayIn an age of iPads, an English teachers plea for old-fashioned pen and paper.5 Strategies to Demystify the Learning Process for Struggling StudentsDrawing on neuroscience and cognitive psychology, professor and author Barbara Oakley outlines five ways to learn how to learn. Many of these are practices our tutors use with their students. Highly recommended.