The Greatest Empires in World History

The Greatest Empires in World History Which was the Biggest Empire Ever? ChaptersWhat is an Empire?The First EmpiresThe Roman EmpireThe Mongol EmpireThe Ottoman EmpireThe Qing DynastyThe Russian EmpireThe British EmpireIf you spend ten minutes looking through history, you’ll certainly notice that this word ‘empire’ comes up an awful lot: the Roman Empire, the British Empire, etc. But what exactly do we mean when we say this? What does this word actually refer to? And, importantly, what is the difference between a kingdom, just a big country, and an empire?In this article, we’ll look at what an empire actually is, how the term is used in history, and where this whole idea started. We’ll also consider the biggest empires ever â€" longer articles about which you’ll find links to â€" and the factors that brought them into existence and then made them decline.Julius Caesar, whilst not officially an emperor, helped to establish the Roman Empire.semantic, meaning that it is a problem of language.Conquest and TerritoriesIn the first case, historians h ave designated as empires groups of territories that are all subject to one ruler â€" directly or indirectly. This means that whilst Russia now might be very large, it doesn’t mean it’s an empire.But, if it were to invade Mongolia and replace its government, then we would have something of an empire: two territories â€" or more, if it then went on to conquer China â€" would now be under the control of one ruler or government. As such, empires often show a significant ethnic, religious, linguistic, and cultural diversity.Let’s take the Ottoman Empire as another example. At one point, countries as diverse as Egypt, Bulgaria, Greece, and Lebanon were all under the domination of the Ottomans, who were based primarily in Turkey. These countries made up different ‘eyalet’ â€" or administrative units â€" of the Empire and were ruled by governors under the supervision of the Sultan or Emperor. This subordination, following imperial expansion and conquest, is thought to be a defini ng feature of an empire.Land and SeaIt is important to point out that there are two main types of empire within this idea. These are known as ‘terrestrial empires’ and ‘thalassocracies’, the first being empires conquered by land and the latter being those dominated by sea.The Mongol Empire is a great example of the former, as it spread outward, under Genghis Khan, from the Mongolian steppes. At the start of the empire, Genghis sent invasions in all directions to defeat and reign over as much land as quickly as possible.Whilst terrestrial empires are often contiguous â€" meaning all joined up â€" thalassocracies, or sea empires, do not need to be. The British Empire is an example of this, as it captured territories across the world â€" islands and ports as much as countries â€" through its incredibly powerful navy.The Name ‘Empire’The second definition of an empire is essentially that it calls itself an empire. This happens when a ruler changes his title of ‘king’, sa y, to that of ‘emperor’. This happened quite a lot.The Russian Empire is a famous example. Here, the kings had been engaging in imperial activity since Ivan the Great and even before â€" conquering territories and the like. Yet, it wasn’t until 1721 that Peter the Great decided to call Russia an Empire, changing its official name from a tsardom.The Roman Empire did something quite similar, as, whilst Octavian, or Augustus, took the title of Emperor, the Roman Senate in Rome had been expanding its borders for a long time previous to this.On the flip side, Korea, in 1897, started calling itself the Great Korean Empire, even though it owned no further land than Korea and was swallowed up eight years later by Japan.Decline: Why do Empires Fall?It’s something of a truism these days that ‘all empires fall’, no matter the prosperity or peace that they may bring to their people eventually. Herodotus, the Greek historian who lived even before the Roman Empire, already knew this. Nonetheless, historians today are still not one hundred percent agreed as to why empires collapse. They all do, however â€" usually as a result of their rulers becoming complacent and weak. Others, such as the Mongolian Empire, might become too big to manage, whilst others still faced invasions from outside â€" such as the Roman and the Qing empires. Four of the empires we look at collapsed â€" or were seriously weakened â€" due to war. It just happened to be the same war that did it!The First EmpiresImperial activity has probably been going on since human civilization first existed. Yet, the first we know about for sure is the Egyptian empire of about 3000BC, in which King Narmer of Egypt’s Upper Valley conquered the Lower Valley and brought it all under one rule. Some six hundred years later, the Akkadian Empire conquered much of Mesopotamia, which now makes up Iraq, Kuwait, and parts of Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.The Shang and the Zhou Empires, both in China between 1500 a nd 770BC, were both huge and pre-existed the Roman Empire by over seven centuries.The Roman EmpireHowever, it was the Romans who first used the term ‘empire’ as we know it now, deriving as it does from the Latin ‘imperator’, meaning commander. The Romans really set the bar for subsequent western imperialism, setting the administrative and political bases for later western governments.The Roman Empire lasted between 27BC and 476CE and, at its peak under Emperor Trajan, ruled over twenty-one percent of the population of the world at the time â€" stretching from Persia in the east to England in the west with the Mediterranean as its heart. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st l esson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Mongol EmpireKnown as the largest contiguous land empire in the history of the world, the Mongol Empire was established by Genghis Khan, who united nomadic Mongolian tribes in 1206. After that, he set out to conquer the world, and he wasn’t too far off succeeding. His empire stretched from Beijing in East Asia to the Danube and the Persian Gulf in the west â€" a whopping nine million square miles.Yet, despite establishing an unprecedented period of peace in the lands he conquered â€" known as the Pax Mongolica â€" the empire only lasted in its entirety until 1294, when it broke into four parts. These parts became politically independent and eventually collapsed one by one.The Ottoman EmpireAfter the Roman Empire had split into two, the Eastern half became known as the Byzantine Empire, and it was based in Constantinople.It lasted until 1453, when Constantinople was conquered by Mehmed the Conqueror, the descendant of Osman I, the first Ottoman Emperor who established the Empire in 1301. His dynasty led the emperor from Istanbul (the new name for Constantinople) for over six centuries.This spread over three continents and is remarkable for its combination of terrestrial conquest and naval proficiency. Whilst the sultans were Muslim, the empire was highly diverse and without any form of enforced religion.Topkapi Palace was the beautiful home of the Ottoman Emperor.The Qing DynastyStarting life in Manchuria, northern China, in the seventeenth century, the Qing Dynasty was one of the longest surviving of Chinese dynasties and the largest empire in Chinese history.It succeeded to form the borders of modern China and to unify Manchus, Mongols, and Han Chinese under the same ruler. It wasn’t until the nineteenth century that p roblems started, with the rise of Christianity in China and the outbreak of revolt and revolution throughout the century.Part of the cause of the decline of the Qing was its failure to modernise in the face of incredibly technologically advanced powers. This meant that when war came, it didn’t stand a chance.The Russian EmpireThe Russian Empire was only one incarnation of the Russian kingdom, which began in 1547 as the Tsardom of Russia. In 1721, under the rule of Peter the Great, however, it changed its name to Imperial Russia â€" and became something of a world power. At its peak â€" through the reigns of Peter and Catherine the Great â€" the Russian Empire was vast, having extended its territory across three continents: Europe, Asia, and North America, where it owned Alaska. It was so large in fact that it is considered one of the three largest empires after the British and the Mongolian.The Russian Empire entered into a period of decline when rebellion and assassination threat ened the stability of the throne. The monarchy was overthrown in 1917 by the Bolshevik Revolution, which turned the Empire into a republic â€" a state with an elected head.The British Empire ruled nearly a quarter of the planet.The British EmpireIt is not an exaggeration to say that the British Empire shaped the modern world, as the extent of its colonies was enormous. Following exploration by the Spanish and Portuguese in the Americas, Britain â€" at that point England and Scotland separately â€" began to accumulate colonial assets across the world.At its peak in the nineteenth century, the British Empire had a colonial presence on every continent on the planet â€" from Australia to the Caribbean, with the entirety of India and parts of Africa in between. Twenty-three percent of the world’s population was at that point under British rule.It fell due to the eventual weakness of Britain and due to the calls for independence and autonomy from colonial societies across the globe.

How to Audition Like the Pros 5 Secrets

How to Audition Like the Pros 5 Secrets Suzy S. Whether youre auditioning for American Idol or your school orchestra, a lot of factors tie into preparing for an audition, beyond just practicing your piece were talking what you eat, what you wear, and what you think about beforehand.   Here, The Bulletproof Musician gives us 5 non-conventional things to consider when preparing for an audition: 1. Food What are you going to eat the night before? The morning of? What are you going to drink? How much? If you are a regular coffee drinker, are you going to wean yourself off weeks ahead of your audition so you don’t get caffeine withdrawal headaches? Plan all of this out and test it in advance, so that it is part of a familiar routine come audition day. Keep in mind that you may be out of town on audition day, and may not feel like dragging yourself around in a new neighborhood just to find breakfast. Be sure to practice being somewhat flexible and adaptable in your preparation. 2. Clothing Practice performing in the clothes you plan on wearing, even down to the socks and shoes you plan on wearing (this impacts pianists more than other instrumentalists, but still). Here, too, practice being somewhat flexible â€" if youre flying to an audition, you never know when the airline might misplace your luggage and lose your lucky socks. 3. Instrument Run a few mock auditions on different pianos, a sub-par set of timpani, or a string slightly out of tune. Don’t allow yourself to be thrown off, even if the instruments aren’t exactly to your liking. 4. Environment Conduct your mock auditions in less than ideal environments. Try big rooms, small rooms, cold rooms, hot rooms and rooms with acoustics of various types.   If at all possible, scope out the room you will be auditioning in the day before. Walk around in it, play a few notes if you can, and take a mental snapshot of the space so that you can mentally rehearse having a great audition in that space. 5.   Sleep Think of all the practicing you are doing, and combine this with the other daily responsibilities and demands that life and school place on you. What is the result? Physical, mental and emotional fatigue. In a study of Stanford University athletes, researchers found that increasing sleep led to greater alertness and vigor, faster reaction times, greater accuracy, speed, and explosive power.   Note that just a couple nights of good sleep won’t cut it. Since most of us are operating on what sleep researchers call a sleep debt, you’ll probably need at least several weeks of sleeping 9-10 hours a day in order to begin reaping the benefits. Keep things in mind and youll be prepared for anything that may come up during your audition.   Readers, what other tips have helped you ace your auditions? Like these posts?   Sign up to receive daily updates right to your inbox!   Click here to subscribe. You might also like How to Bounce Back from a Bad Audition 5 Insider Tips for The Voice Auditions Improving Sight Reading as a Beginner Musician Photo by eflon, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic.

What to Know About the SAT Literature Subject Test

What to Know About the SAT Literature Subject Test Studying for SAT Subject Tests can occasionally seem quite daunting. However, if youve been a diligent high school student, youve already started your test prepespecially for the SAT Subject Test in Literature. The SAT Literature Subject Test reflects what you learn in your high school English classes. Need more information? Keep reading to find out what to know about the SAT Literature Subject Test. SAT Literature Subject Test basics You will have 60 minutes to complete around 60 multiple-choice questions. American and English literature comprise 90-100% of the selections on the exam, while the remaining 0-10% includes works from other parts of the world. In terms of chronology, the following is the test breakdown: The Renaissance and 17th century make up 30% of the exam. The 18th and 19th centuries make up 30% of the test. The 20th century makes up 40% of the exam. Poetry and prose passages both comprise 40-50% of the passages found on the test, while other formats are 0-10% of the exam. [RELATED: How to Succeed on SAT Subject Tests] Tip #1: Review literary terminology before the SAT Literature Subject Test Youve probably encountered these terms every year since middle school, but its worth it to take the time to really understand each concept, and to have an example of each one. These terms can include tone, stanza, irony, image, and more. Youll be asked to recognize these in the text selections, so practice being on the lookout for them as you read. Come up with a code for yourself to quickly identify them upon looking back (perhaps a star indicates a metaphor or simile). Since this is a reading-heavy test, any time-saving technique can be useful. Tip #2: Use practice tests to prepare for the SAT Literature Subject Test SAT Literature practice tests are your new best friend. Before setting out to practice, determine what you want to focus on. Are you struggling with time? Set a goal time, and work on finishing before the end. Are you always getting stuck on theme? Focus on identifying the thematic concepts as you read to make answering the questions at the end a little bit easier. Strategic studying will help you learn more efficiently and effectively. [RELATED: Should I Take SAT Subject Tests?] Tip #3: Know what to look for in the SAT Literature Subject Test readings On the exam, you will be given six to eight sets of questions, which are each based on a different text. A hint: keep an eye out for the date given at the end of each piece. While you wont be asked about the historical background surrounding that literary text, it might help you understand the world and the time it came from. Notice what the form of the piece iswhat is its structure, genre, and organization? While youre reading, take note of word choice. Are there any words that pop out to you? Perhaps underlining them could be helpful later. Additionally, observe the meanings and connotations of words in the text. You will also want to discern what the narrative voice is. Pinpoint who is talking, and how they feel about what theyre talking about. Be as specific as you can! Lastly, pay attention to characterization. How are the characters described in the text? Keeping all of these ideas in mind while reading will make the multiple-choice questions go much faster and smoother. In the end, constantly reading is the best way to do well on this test. By engaging that muscle, you learn how to read faster and grasp the material better. Try to read a variety of textsnovels, poetry, and plays are all great ways to enrich your mind and do well on the exam. While reading, get in the mode of asking yourself questions so that youre actively engaging with the text. Do you know whos talking? What is the theme and how is the author trying to comment upon that? These questions will help you get closer to that 800 score on the SAT Literature Subject Test. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Watercolour Painting Tutorials and Resources

Watercolour Painting Tutorials and Resources How to Find Resources and Tutorials to Guide Your Watercolour Painting ChaptersThe Best Books to Learn Watercolour PaintingLearn Painting from TelevisionOther Online Offerings to Learn How to PaintIt’s never easy, learning something new.If one decides to take a class to learn watercolour painting, there is the usual stress of competition â€" is everyone else better at it than I am? The usual sizing up tinged by a bit of social anxiety, the approval-seeking...And then, there’s the small matter of timing: what if you don’t have time for any classes?For these reasons and more, many people intent on personal growth, those who hold firmly to the idea that learning new skills is an art form of itself have gotten into the habit of rooting out resources â€" online, at the library and through other like-minded people.That’s probably how you ran across this article!As it turns out, Superprof has dedicated itself to your pursuit of knowledge by providing tutors and informative articles on how to do/learn/master/achieve... in this case, how to paint with wa tercolours.We now look at the best resources available to you in print and on television; in video format and online. FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StefaniaPainting Teacher 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off2themoonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Best Books to Learn Watercolour Painting Don't discount books as a means of learning about watercolor paint! Image by Myriam Zilles from PixabayBooks have long been our go-to source for new knowledge.There is a good reason for that: they are a source of information that we can return to again and again. They provide us with an arc of understanding â€" from the inception of the subject in question to its current state.Sometimes books draw on the past and then progress through to the present and project the future; other times they function as an instruction manual; the perfect ‘how-to’, complete with margins for you to make notes in.Because watercolour painting relies so much on traditional techniques (as opposed to relying on digital art creation tools), it is important to master every step of the processes involved in painting with watercolours.You can learn everything about watercolour painting from books, beginning with colour theory to mixing paints in the proper ratios to attain a specific shade or tone.These are j ust a few of the best books for learning how to paint with watercolours.The Watercolour Course You’ve Always WantedWhile some might believe that oil painting and acrylic painting are the more rigorous media, mastering watercolours is actually more difficult than either of those two.That is why this talented watercolor artist/author has put this book together; it is a standout among ‘how to’ tomes because it touches equally on theory and on practice.Among other aspects of the art, you will learn to interpret lines and shapes, work from photographs or a live model, and fundamental techniques often used in watercolour painting, such as the dry brush method, the wet-on-wet method and more.Leslie Frontz has been painting for more than 40 years. In this book, she brings her considerable experience to bear on different theories and practices of painting with watercolours.It is available at your favourite bookseller or on Amazon for just over £20.Watercolor SchoolUnlike van Gogh, not everyone has a deep, instinctual feel for painting.For most of us, going from vision to conceptualising to completion is a journey fraught with equal parts of frustration and elation. In such cases, it is really helpful to have a way of balancing those two extremes.Hazel Harrison, author and painter, firmly believes in planning: from laying out the necessary paints and supplies to initial sketching, and on to finished work.What’s so great about this tome is that is consists of both theory and practice. Hazel packs the book full of exercises for you to do; they fairly demand that you learn proper watercolor techniques before you can move ahead.But don’t worry; the tone this text takes is patient and supportive. Before you know it, you too will plan your work from start to finish in such a way that executing it will happen as if by magic.This book is a bit dated but is still one of the best on the market (it is also available on Amazon for about £14).Everyday WatercolorIf you kn ow absolutely nothing about painting, even if you don’t know oil paints from acrylics â€" let alone water colors from gouache, this is the book for you.Jenna Rainey takes you by the hand in this well-assembled manual which is divided into five different segments. Each one covers a specific area of painting: lighting, forms, complex shapes such as the human figure...Towards the end, everything gets neatly connected through a series of exercises. You’ll be amazed to find yourself no longer struggling to paint credible-looking flowers; indeed, you’ll be onto landscape painting before you know it.Ms Rainey is one of the freshest voices in watercolour. Not only does she write books but she teaches painting techniques in her native California city and hosts a tutorial channel on YouTube for those who want to learn to paint.Other great books to learn watercolours from include:Modern Watercolor by Kristen van LeuvenTen Minute Watercolor by Hazel Soan (yes, the one that presents on the telly!)Watercolor 365: Daily Tips, Tricks and Techniques by Leslie RedheadWorld of Watercolor by Jean HainesThe Tao of Watercolor by Jean CarbonettiMastering Watercolors: a Practical Guide by Joe CartwrightWe would love to review them all but we still have to tell you about other resources available to aspiring painters. You should have quality watercolor paper to render the perfect landscape painting Image by Ulrike Mai from PixabayLearn Painting from TelevisionOccasionally, a local television station will host a series of shows in which an artist demonstrates how to paint; the BBC did such a show a couple of years ago.Although such a show may be on locally, none are currently available nationally but several online television channels are dedicated to helping you learn how to paint.Watercolour.tv is a prime example of this type of offering.Artist Matthew Palmer has organised his web page to make it easy for the absolute beginner at watercolor painting to find their way around: simply click on the ‘absolute beginner’ tab and enjoy the collection of videos meant especially for you.You may also choose to mark your calendar for his real-time workshops and painting demonstrations or paint along with him as he instructs on how to perfectly depict a mountain sunset or a winter landscape.Winter landsca pes can be especially tricky because of all of the white involved â€" what a great opportunity to practise using masking fluid!The best part of these on-demand video lessons is that you can pause them, rewind and rewatch as needed, something you can’t necessarily do with an ordinary broadcast from the telly.Another great channel is SAA, formerly ‘the Painting and Drawing Channel’; their video-on-demand page lists more than 500 step-by-step instructional videos by member artists.Whether you’re having trouble mixing the perfect blend of colours to achieve that burnt sienna for your autumn landscape or simply cannot get the hang of painting flowers, the artists at SAA will have you covered.Both of these television sites charge a monthly membership fee but you may check them out for 30 days at no cost.  For those serious about learning how to paint with watercolours, that would be a hard-to-beat offer!Other Online Offerings to Learn How to PaintNot surprisingly, online televisio n channels are not the only way you enter the world of watercolour painting.Besides viewing some artists’ Instagram pages and marvelling over their skills, you could listen in as watercolour painters discuss their favourite painting technique, join in discussions on select forums and boards and benefit from video tutorials.Among the wealth of such we found are:PodcastsI Like Your Work: conversations with artists, gallery owners and curatorsColin Bradley Art Cast: a father-and-son team of watercolour artists answer your questionsSketching Stuff: watercolour artist Charlie O’Shields hosts a podcast and runs a message boardThe Left-Brain Artist: if you aspire to one day make your living as an artist, this podcast is the one to listen to!You might find it odd to listen to podcasts when watercolour painting is obviously a visual art.Think about this: all of the time you spend behind the wheel of your car, longing to hold a brush, you could be getting in touch with your inner artist.Y ou can even listen to podcasts as you paint. If you have no time for classes, you can learn painting with watercolor with online resources Image by Orna Wachman from PixabayBlogsQuite a few ‘how-to’ websites and art supplies sites have blogs attached; you might know of them if you’ve done any Internet searches for speciality supplies.Other pages are by independent artists. The ones we liked the most are:The Susan Branch blog takes a fireside chat tone: recalling what drew her to expressing herself through watercolor painting and how every stroke of her paintbrush is a tribute to another famous artist.The Scratchmade Journal likes to infuse tutorials with homey anecdotes and encouragement.Doodlewash is the companion-blog to the Sketching Stuff podcast mentioned above. If you’re unsure about which art supplies you might consider or are looking for inspiration for your next work, this would be a place to look.Naturally, there are more. You only need to ask your favourite search engine for them.YouTubeAgain, we return to th e idea that painting is primarily a visual art. Now, we add the fact that humans are primarily visual learners and come to the conclusion that videos would be a great way to learn how to use watercolour paint.What a torrent of information there is for you, there!We found channels hosted by artists from Italy, Canada, Australia and Japan and the UK. A substantial number of them have millions of subscribers; others have uploaded so many videos that they’ve organised them into playlists so you can follow them in sequence.Some videos are hour-long, professionally edited tutorials and others are mere minutes, detailing a single technique: a lone artist sitting in front of their camera for your benefit.Some of the names you’ve read in this article also have YouTube Channels and, as a bonus, they feature other artists’ channels for you to peruse, in effect forming an online community of watercolor paintings and painters.So, if you have no time for classes and an overwhelming desire t o work with watercolor paints, you now have a few resources to call on.

With Online Physics Tutor - Grasp Concepts At Once

With Online Physics Tutor - Grasp Concepts At Once 0SHARESShare Physics is a Science subject which many students shun in view of its latent difficulty and use of Math knowledge. When you understand the relevance of Physics to our society and its applications in our day today life, you really understand the importance of the subject and try to focus your attention on it with a positive note. All Physics concepts reflect the activities of life one way or the other.  Tutor Pace provides excellent online tutoring services with its Online Physics Tutor to make your learning interesting, interactive and knowledgeable. Why Online Physics Tutor is relevant to the society? In our day today life, in almost all technological innovations, right from latest mobile phones to good old wet grinders, you have the application of Physics in various forms. Without the theories of Sound, Light and Speed as expounded by Physicians, the comfortable life we live today is unimaginable. Physics helps us explore the territories of Nature with an adventurous spirit and pick out its best features for our utility. How to learn Physics? Physics learning is considered as a mind-blowing exercise, since it deals with aspects that expect very keen concentration and intellectual analysis on our part. That is why the subject is viewed as dry and as a possession of those who are serious minded in their learning. Actually, Physics can be learn with interest, once you get into its true spirit through innovative learning methods, hands on experience and practical approaches. It depends upon the person who teaches you the subject. Online tutoring is the most desirable kind of tutoring for Physics for the reason that it brings forth methods that are interactive and thus make you learn even the difficult topics with ease and fun. Tutor Pace is one such tutoring site with a panel of Online Physics Tutor who help you learn Physics in its depth with easy to understand methods. [starbox id=admin]

Understanding English Spoken in India

Understanding English Spoken in India Its an interesting time for English, and languages in general. English is the most spoken language in the world. Although there are more native speakers of both Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, there are enough people speaking English as a second language to put us as the most spoken language.In fact, it is believed that English will soon become the first language spoken by more non-native speakers than native speakers. What does it mean for the future of a language when native speakers no longer dominate it? For one thing, I think we will have to accept, like it or not, that English will have many more dialects.One place where English is widely spoken as a second language is India. It is, when non-native speakers are counted, the second largest population of English speakers. But frankly, even native English speakers can have difficulties understanding an English speaker from India.Lately many of my students, especially those that work in IT, have been asking me what they can do to und erstand English speakers from India better. Trying to help my students, I came across this podcast, Indicast.Indicast produces interesting podcasts and videos in English, but mostly with speakers from India. Its a great way to practice your English listening skills and your ability to understand English speakers from India. I hope it helps!

5 Books to Read for Black History Month

5 Books to Read for Black History Month 5 Books to Read for Black History Month February is Black History Month, an opportunity to teach your children about the historical accomplishments and struggles of African Americans. By connecting children with history, they’ll gain a better understanding of the world they live in and develop compassion for other people. Taken from the Kumon Recommended Reading List, below is a collection of inspirational books honoring African heritage. Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears  by Verna Aardema This Caldecott Medal-winning folktale from Africa demonstrates the consequences of lying to others through a story of a mosquito causing a jungle disaster. This well-illustrated, moral lesson is funny and a great conversation starter about telling the truth. The Day  GoGo Went to Vote  by Elinor Batezat Sisulu This beautifully illustrated book marks a pivotal event in history. In 1994, South Africa held their first general election where all races could vote. As a result, Nelson Mandela was elected the first black head of state in that country. The story is told through the eyes of a young, excited girl who accompanies her frail and respected grandmother to the voting booth for this milestone occasion. Amos Fortune: Free Man  by Elizabeth Yates This biographical novel won the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children’s literature. Amos Fortune was a young, African prince captured by slave traders, sent overseas, and sold at an auction in New England. This inspiring true story is of a courageous man who goes on to master a trade and gain his freedom at 60 years old. The Other Side of Truth  by Beverley Naidoo Taking place in 1995, this Carnegie Medal winning novel tells a story of two siblings who are exiled out of Nigeria by their father after the children are left motherless by the actions of the corrupt government soldiers. The children flee to England and become Nigerian political refugees in a deeply engaging tale including the highly suspenseful reunification with their father. This book offers a world-view of the complexities in life including human rights and clashes of cultures. Cry, the Beloved Country  by Alan Paton Taking place in South Africa, this important book tells a compassionate story leading up to apartheid from 1948-1994. It weaves together the lives of a black minister, a white farmer, and the son of each. The reader is immediately caught up in the gravity of each character’s situation and irrevocably drawn into the plot that ensures. By the end, the profound power of the human spirit prevails. You might also be interested in: Booklist to Celebrate Chinese Culture Happy Read Across America Day! Kick-off National Reading Month by Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday With These Fun Activities 8 Must-Read Collections of Poetry on Kumon’s Recommended Reading List 5 Tips to Celebrate National Family Literacy Month 5 Books to Read for Black History Month 5 Books to Read for Black History Month February is Black History Month, an opportunity to teach your children about the historical accomplishments and struggles of African Americans. By connecting children with history, they’ll gain a better understanding of the world they live in and develop compassion for other people. Taken from the Kumon Recommended Reading List, below is a collection of inspirational books honoring African heritage. Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears  by Verna Aardema This Caldecott Medal-winning folktale from Africa demonstrates the consequences of lying to others through a story of a mosquito causing a jungle disaster. This well-illustrated, moral lesson is funny and a great conversation starter about telling the truth. The Day  GoGo Went to Vote  by Elinor Batezat Sisulu This beautifully illustrated book marks a pivotal event in history. In 1994, South Africa held their first general election where all races could vote. As a result, Nelson Mandela was elected the first black head of state in that country. The story is told through the eyes of a young, excited girl who accompanies her frail and respected grandmother to the voting booth for this milestone occasion. Amos Fortune: Free Man  by Elizabeth Yates This biographical novel won the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children’s literature. Amos Fortune was a young, African prince captured by slave traders, sent overseas, and sold at an auction in New England. This inspiring true story is of a courageous man who goes on to master a trade and gain his freedom at 60 years old. The Other Side of Truth  by Beverley Naidoo Taking place in 1995, this Carnegie Medal winning novel tells a story of two siblings who are exiled out of Nigeria by their father after the children are left motherless by the actions of the corrupt government soldiers. The children flee to England and become Nigerian political refugees in a deeply engaging tale including the highly suspenseful reunification with their father. This book offers a world-view of the complexities in life including human rights and clashes of cultures. Cry, the Beloved Country  by Alan Paton Taking place in South Africa, this important book tells a compassionate story leading up to apartheid from 1948-1994. It weaves together the lives of a black minister, a white farmer, and the son of each. The reader is immediately caught up in the gravity of each character’s situation and irrevocably drawn into the plot that ensures. By the end, the profound power of the human spirit prevails. 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THE BRITISH SCHOOL OF CASALE

THE BRITISH SCHOOL OF CASALE THE BRITISH SCHOOL OF CASALE The British School of Casale is part of the British Schools Group (AIBSE) . It prides itself for its excellence in English Language Teaching. It is a reference point for students and state schools who want to learn English and for career advancements. The town of Casale Monferrato isin Piedmont, North West Italy, an hour from Turin to the West and Milan to the East.It has a population of 38,000 people circa and it was a runner up for the title of Italian Capital of Culture for 2020 The British School of Casale is a Cambridge Assessment English Authorised Centre (IT050) for the entire suite of Cambridge Exams and has currently 8 Speaking Examiners.The school courses offer learning outcomes linked to the Common European Framework in order to provide its students with skills and competences that can be profitably utilised and recognised across Europe and elsewhere. It is legally recognised to operate as a private language school by the Ministry of Public Education, Universities and Research (MUIR). It is also fully accredited by the said ministry to be a centre for vocational training courses for public school teachers. It is fully iso9001:2015 compliant. Our courses range from General English, Academic English to Business English and includes the whole range of Cambridge English Exams from YLE to Proficiency, as well as the Business English Certificates and IELTS. It also offers vocational and non-vocational training for adults using European Social Funds. Our children and teenage courses are a strongpoint. We believe in an active and dynamic methodology applied to childrens classes. This is why we work a lot with state schools in Casale and in the nearby towns. Our teachers work throughout the year in classes starting from kindergarten straight through to higher secondary school. We also teach courses in state schools financed by the PON European funds. Company courses and Business English courses are organised throughout the year. View our Brochure