All About Cooking Classes

All About Cooking Classes How to Learn to Cook ChaptersA Brief History of Cooking ClassesThe Different Types of Cooking ClassesThe Best Cooking Schools in the CountryLearn to Cook without Attending a CourseLearn to Cook with Private TutorialsCooking classes are becoming increasingly popular. This can be explained, in part, by the popularity of TV shows like “MasterChef” and “The Great British Bake Off”.If you want to learn the recipes of Michelin Star chefs, use new ingredients, or learn about foreign cuisine, private cooking tutorials are a great idea.Superprof’s here to help with what makes a good cooking lesson or private tutorial. By the end of this article, you’ll know everything you need to! 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/h1 st 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 tutorsA Brief History of Cooking ClassesCooking lessons have existed on paper for ages in the form of recipes in cookbooks. You probably remember the massive tomes that your grandmother rarely touched (because she’d already remembered them all).The best thing about learning to cook is that you get to eat what you make. (Source: naimbic)For those interested in the history of cooking, real professional cookery classes began around the 19th century with cooking or culinary workshops, as well as food competitions (and we don’t mean hot dog eating competitions they have in the United States!).However, don’t think that Americans don’t know anything about good food! The American chef Julia Child helped bring quality French cuisine to the States with her famous cookbooks. Thanks to her, words like brioche, boeuf bourguignon, and tarte aux pommes are part of the American lexicon.Nowadays, many chefs whose restaurants have appeared in the Michelin are offering cooking classes to amateur chefs. As you may have guessed, they worked out just how lucrative this could be.The Different Types of Cooking ClassesThere are two main ways to get cooking lessons nowadays:Small groups: You can learn to make starters, hot and cold dishes, desserts, and pastries. The cost of these lessons will vary wildly according to the chef’s reputation, how many students there are, etc. If you type “cooking classes” into Google, you’ll see just how much choice you have. There are workshops, evening classes, etc.Online cooking classes: In the digital age, there are plenty of interesting cooking classes available over the internet. These lessons can still be interactive as participants can send their questions to the chef whoâ €™ll respond to them directly.Working in a kitchen can be stressful. Make sure you know what you're doing! (Source: Free-Photos)You can find plenty of chefs offering cooking lessons tutorials and workshops online through Superprof, too!In terms of the types of cooking tutorials available, there are quite a few available:Cooking lessons with a professional chef:  These lessons will help you learn everyday recipes, healthy cooking, and traditional recipes. Of course, when you attend a famous chef’s cooking class, you can’t always guarantee that the famous chef will actually be in attendance.Cooking lessons at a workshop:  There are a number of centres where you can get lessons for both adults and for kids.Vegetarian cooking classes: Thanks to changing tastes and an increasing number of people becoming vegetarian and vegan, you can now find cookery lessons on cooking for vegetarians. There are also cooking lessons for gluten-free diets for those with gluten intolerances or coeliacs .Baking lessons: Who hasn’t dreamed of organising afternoon tea with a few petit fours, cakes, and biscuits? Do you love profiteroles, cakes, or rum baba? You can learn how to make them and impress your friends!If you’re not sure where to learn how to cook, you should check out the cooking tutorials available on Superprof.  There are chefs offering different international cooking tutorials like:Thai cookingCooking Chinese foodItalian cuisineFrench cookingSushi and Japanese foodWith Superprof, you can learn how to make birthday cakes, Asian pastries, or even a New York cheesecake from scratch with the help of the cooking experts offering tutorials. 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 f ree!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 tutorsThe Best Cooking Schools in the CountryIf you spend a bit of time doing your research online, you’re bound to find plenty of cooking classes.Here’s Superprof’s list of the best cooking courses in the country:University of West LondonThe University of West London offers a variety of different culinary degrees and diplomas such as the BSc (Hons) in Culinary Arts Management, MA in Food Business Management, Diploma in Chefs Apprenticeship, and Certificate in General Patisserie and Confectionery.While this university offers a broader range of levels for those wanting to cook professionally, there aren't many options for those who just want to improve their cooking with a hands on demonstration (like a cooking class).Westminster Kingsway CollegeThis is the college Jamie Oliver attended to get his NVQ and Professional Chef Diploma. Other famous alumni include: Selin Kiazim, Antony Worrall Thompson, Sophie Wright, and Ainsley Harriott.Their Professional Chef Diploma is the UK's first professional cooking qualification.There are three main options for students to focus on when they reach their third year of study: cuisine, patisserie and confectionery, or restaurant management.In addition to the focused pathways available in the third year, students get instruction in butchery and fishmongery, practical cuisine, pâtisserie and bakery, health, safety, and food hygiene, etc.Tante Marie Culinary AcademyYou can find this culinary school in Woking (20 minutes from central London). The main qualification offered is the Cordon Bleu Diploma. Students have been learning how to prepare the finest cuisine since the programme sarted in 1954. This course will cost you between £17,950 and £21,850.If you're looking for so mething less serious and just want someone to teach you how to make a tasty homemade dish, there are also cooking classes where a chef will can help you improve your skills.There are also lessons for kids and teens learning how to cook.Le Cordon Bleu LondonThis is a culinary arts, wine and management school that was founded in the early 1930s with a focus on the cooking techniques that were being taught to gourmet French chefs. There are four main culinary arts diplomas offered by the school: cuisine, pâtisserie, boulangerie, and gastronomy and nutrition.They also offer short courses on various techniques, summer  cooking courses London, wine tasting, and cake decorating. These courses can be as short as two hours or as long as three weeks. These could be ideal for amateur chefs who want to get better at preparing pastry or gain some fundamental knife skills (in the kitchen, of course!).The longer courses (such as the Grand Diplôme) can cost nearly £35,000 for 9 months. This is t he kind of course where you will learn the art of cooking, every single technique, and all the cooking methods that the worlds best chefs have mastered. Of course, since you'll learn how to prepare a large variety of dishes, you'll be expected to handle seafood, veal (amongst other meats), and alcohol.Royal Academy of Culinary ArtsThe Royal Academy of Culinary Arts was set up in 1980 and offers a Master of Culinary Arts. This is a highly selective course and only for those with at least 10 years of experience as a chef, pastry chef, or in restaurant management and service. Three of these years need to be at a senior level!There are also apprenticeships offered by the academy. However, this option is for some very serious chefs.Don’t worry if you don’t live near any of these places, as you’ll see in a moment, you can learn to cook no matter where you live.Check out some of the most prestigious cooking institutes in the world.Once you know how, learning to make macarons is easie r than you think. (Source: silviarita)Learn to Cook without Attending a CourseAs we’ve already gone through the various cooking courses for those wanting to study cooking, it’s now time to see the best ways to learn how to cook without having to go to school.This is how you can learn to cook without having to spend several years studying at a university of cooking school.Learning to Cook by Watching TVHave you seen Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares?This is where the chef Gordon Ramsay gives restaurant owners and chefs a good dressing-down and tells them where they’re going wrong. Of course, this results in arguments, tears, and Gordon Ramsay swearing a lot in order to help them improve. In the end, there’s usually a happy ending as the restaurant improves thanks to Gordon Ramsay’s advice (and probably the fact that he’s gone!).You'd be surprised how much you can learn from TV when you're paying attention. (Source: Pexels)Another show you should be watching is MasterChef, whi ch was revived back in 2005 and is still on the air! While there’s no actual prize money for the show, those who win tend to go on to own their own restaurants or work in other famous restaurants.Learn to Cook with Private TutorialsIf you love cooking, Superprof can put you in touch with affordable cooking tutors near you so that you can learn to cook before opening your own famous restaurant. Cooking lessons are also a good idea as a gift for your friends who love cooking.As you can see, there's a huge range of options for aspiring chefs. If you're a home cook who just wants to make delicious food, get better when using a knife, or gain a greater understanding of the ingredients your cookbook tells you to get, private cooking tutorials are probably the recipe for success.A private tutor can teach you how to prepare delicious dishes with everyday ingredients. (Source: Engin_Akyurt)Having your own private cooking instructor means that you're the only person they have to teach in th e class. If you're a vegetarian, vegan, or have any other dietary requirements, your tutor can work around these. When you attend a culinary institute, if they give you a recipe you're not happy to make, you can expect to be shown the door. This won't happen with private tutors.If you want to focus on roasted vegetables, Mediterranean menus, or the preparation of a certain ingredient, you can look for a tutor who focuses on just that!

The Complete Glossary of Singing Terms

The Complete Glossary of Singing Terms Jessica Dais If you’ve ever felt confused by unfamiliar singing terms, you’re not alone. As with every specialized field, vocal professionals tend to throw around a lot of jargon, or terminology that most people aren’t familiar with. If you’re interested in expanding your musical skills, learning these singing terms will help you better understand instructions from both voice teachers and conductors. Lets get started! 50 Singing Terms Their Meanings In this alphabetized list, youll find definitions for some of the most common musical terms, including choir terms. Youll also learn several new ways to describe a voice, such as breathy or dramatic. A Cappella: Literally meaning “of choir” in Italian, the term has been adopted to refer to singing without accompaniment. Alto: A lower female voice within the choral setting. Articulators: The parts of the body used to form words; usually refers to the lips, teeth, and tip of the tongue. Aspirate: A diction term referring to a sound that produces an audible puff of air, such as the letter P in English. Baritone: A male voice type between tenor and bass. Bass: The lowest male voice type. Breathy: A vocal sound that is not clear, while instead sounding airy and fuzzy. A breathy sound can be caused by many factors, including inadequate breath support. Chest voice: The lower vocal register in which most people talk; resonates in the chest. Contralto: The lowest female voice type. Coloratura: Fast-moving notes. Countertenor: A male voice type that sings primarily in head voice. Common in baroque music. Covering: A vocal technique wherein the singer rounds the lips slightly when singing high notes to achieve a specific sound. Dental: A diction technique referring to sounds that occur when the tongue is right behind the top front teeth. The Italian or Spanish D sound is a good example. Diaphragm: The large muscle of respiration that lies beneath the lungs, which flattens and lowers during inhalation. This is one of the most common singing terms used in lessons or classes when discussing proper breathing technique. Diction: The way in which components of words, including consonants and vowels, are formed and pronounced. For classical singers, this generally includes the study of foreign language diction. Diphthong: A diction term referring to the phenomenon of one vowel gradually changing into another vowel, creating two vowels within a syllable. This happens a lot in English (e.g. in the word “ray”) but happens less in other languages. Dramatic: In voice classification, this refers to a large, robust voice (e.g. “dramatic soprano”). Extended technique: Any vocal technique outside of what is normally and classically taught. This includes whistle tone, inhaled phonation, throat singing, and many other techniques. Fach: Voice type or vocal classification. Also means “subject” in German. Flat: When a pitch is slightly lower than desired. Falsetto: A thin head voice sound produced by men. Glottal fry: The croaky, low register that some people speak in due to lack of breath support. It often occurs at the ends of sentences. Glottal stop: The sound created when a person presses their vocal folds together before beginning a vocal sound. Manifested at the beginning of many words that start with vowels in English, including “umbrella.” Head voice: The upper vocal register in which women and countertenors primarily sing in classical music. Intercostals: The muscles in between the rib cage that lift the ribs out and up during breathing. Larynx: The structure in the throat that contains the vocal folds. Low breath: The use of the diaphragm and intercostals to breathe without moving the shoulders, neck, or upper chest. This type of breathing is desirable in singing. Lyric: A voice classification term between dramatic (heavy) and coloratura (fast/light). Can occur in various voice types (e.g. lyric baritone, lyric soprano). Messa di voce: A dynamic technique involving starting a note with a crescendo (quiet to loud) followed by a decrescendo (loud to quiet). Mezzo soprano: The operatic female voice classification between soprano and contralto. Onset: The beginning of the vocal sound. Passaggio: An Italian term translating to “passage,” this refers to transitional areas in the voice where the singer must take extra care to sing well. These occur in different spots according to the individual and voice type. Phonation: The creation of a vocal sound. Registers: Parts of the voice differentiated by vocal quality and sometimes range, such as chest voice, head voice, and falsetto. (Each of these singing terms were defined previously). Resonance: This is another sound quality term, such as tone. It refers specifically to how round or warm the sound is, which has more to do with overtones. It can also refer to the way a sound interacts with a room, such as a cathedral. Sharp: When a pitch is slightly higher than desired. Soft palate: The soft muscular structure at the back of the mouth that, when lifted, separates the nasal cavity from the rest of the respiratory system and therefore stops singers from singing out of their noses. Soprano: The highest female voice classification. Squillo: Another sound quality term, this refers to the edgy, clear tone some singers have, particularly in their upper registers. Straight tone: A vocal sound without vibrato. Tenor: A high male voice classification. Tone: The quality of a voice. Usually described with adjectives such as raspy and clear. Timbre: Similar to tone, this refers to the quality of a vocal sound. Trill: A technique in which a singer quickly moves between two adjacent notes. Unvoiced: A diction term referring to consonants that don’t involve vocal sound, such as S and T. Vibrato: The natural oscillation between pitches (even when singing a held note) present in many singing voices. Vocal cords/vocal folds: These mucus membrane cords, nestled in the larynx, vibrate together when air passes between them, producing vocal sounds. Voiced: The opposite of “unvoiced,” this is a diction term referring to consonants that require vocal sound, such as B and Z. Whistle tone: The highest vocal register, located above head voice and made famous by Mariah Carey. Wobble: A phenomenon that occurs when the distance between the two pitches present in vibrato becomes too wide, causing an unstable sound. See Also: 53 Audition Terms Definitions to Know Still curious about some of these singing terms? Would you like to know how to avoid glottal fry, or how to develop consistent vibrato? A voice teacher can help you get even more comfortable with all this new vocabulary and master your singing goals. If youd like to learn more, sign up for singing lessons or try some free online classes today! Post Author: Elaina R. Elaina is a singer and voice teacher from Fort Wayne, IN, where she teaches at the Purdue School of Music and in her private studio. She received her Master of Music from the University of Michigan. Learn more about Elaina 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

Six Questions to Ask Teens Choosing a College Major

Six Questions to Ask Teens Choosing a College Major The college decision is one of the most exciting and overwhelming that a teen will ever make. Add to that the selection of a college major and it is no wonder many teens struggle to decide. Eileen Huntingtonof Huntington Learning Center tells parents of high school students that sometime during sophomore year is a good time for teens to start thinking about possible majors. If a teens college search process during the last two or three years of high school is largely focused on where to go but not what to study, he or she is overlooking a big aspect of the college experience, says Huntington. Shesuggests that as parents and teens talk about college possibilities, they also talk about field of study possibilities. If you need a little help starting the conversation, here are six questions to ask: Narrowing down the options questions What do you find interesting? Encourage your teen to reflect on past jobs, school projects, volunteer projects and classes and think about the most and least enjoyable aspects. Avoid the pressure to probe about passionsperhaps your teen is still in discovery mode. Instead, focus on things that capture his or her attention and fuel inquisitiveness. What are you good at? Its wise to talk about school subjects, but remember to explore other skills that your teen would consider strengths, such as working on teams, managing people, critical thinking, analyzing details or solving complex problems. Have you researched any possible majors (and if so, what did you learn)? Have your teen do some preliminary research on the fields of study on his or her mind to understand the major and what classes are usually required in that major. The College Majors 101 website is a useful resource for students wanting to learn more about majors, possible careers, and universities options for majors. The high school guidance counselor is also a good resource. Deeper research questions What types of jobs are out there? Its important to do some initial homework on college majors and the jobs that graduates of those majors often obtain, but once your teen begins focusing on a particular major, its good to also research statistics like employment rates and job growth. Check out information on the Center on Education and the Workforce, Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, and O*NET Online websites for starters as well as the labor market organization websites in your state (find a list here). What matters to you? Family? Travel? Helping people? Working with your hands? Encourage your teen to think about his or her core values and personality while exploring majors and careers and picturing life down the road. Of course, its best not to think too far ahead, but a social butterfly who thrives working with others might be unsatisfied working in a laboratory or other independent type job. What type of education is required? As your teen researches careers, its important to consider educational requirements and whether he or she is comfortable committing to them. Does a job of interest require advanced education for employment? Does it require additional certifications? Teens who have their sights set on earning a bachelors degree for now should make sure that they will be employable with that degree after graduation. The more research and thought teens put into choosing college majors, the higher their return on investment, says Huntington. Our advice to parents is to talk early and often about careers and majors and incorporate this type of consideration into the college search process. For more information about how to prepare teens for college-level academics or Huntingtons SAT and ACT prep programs, contact Huntington Learning Center at1-800-CAN-LEARN. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams.Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards.Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2017 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

Our first verified tutor in Manchester!

Our first verified tutor in Manchester! We've had an amazing 2015 here at Tutorfair thanks to our fantastic community of tutors and students!  We asked a few of our favourites to share their adventures with us.  Here,  Frances tells us about becoming Manchester's first verified tutor! Frances G Having finished the Teach First Leadership Development program this summer and starting work for Parent Hub, I wanted to keep involved with the  Teach First  mission that no child's academic success should be limited by their socio-economic background.  Tutorfair provide an excellent opportunity  to work with young people in my local area and also contribute improving educational disadvantage across the UK! A few weeks  ago I attended a TutorFair Fast Track Event in London â€" I saw it was a great way to get more clients and I really wanted to improve my TF profile. I was the first tutor from Manchester to attend, and I’m really glad I did. It really made me feel part of the Tutor Fair community, and it was great to meet the staff in person â€" Annabel and Sam were so lovely and gave me lots of top tips to improve my profile even further. I hadn’t worked with any clients before the Fast Track event, but in the last two weeks I’ve booked two new clients and I’m in the process of booking lessons with 3 more! Working as a tutor is brilliant, and I love how easy it is to use the Tutor Fair website â€" from booking a lesson to getting paid, I feel like the hard work is all done for me! I’m looking forward to taking on more clients in the New Year, and I’ve had really positive feedback for the lesson I’ve already taught. I can definitely recommend attending the Fast Track event, (even making the video wasn’t as cringey as I thought it would be!) and tutoring with Tutor Fair. Want to  book Frances  for  Science  revision?  Or perhaps you want to  come along to one of Fast Track events? There's something for everyone at Tutorfair!

Lexie Language Challenge Week 3

Lexie Language Challenge Week 3 Taking my French sessions over Chinese New Years Hi Everyone! First of all, Happy Chinese New Year!!! At Week 3 of the Language Challenge, I ran into Chinese New Years our biggest national holiday here in China.  Its a 7-day break here in China (everyone at italki is off as well).   I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Years! So heres my current status updates: Language Challenge Completed Sessions:  9 Language Challenge Sessions Remaining:  11 Session Schedule for Week 3:  4 During Chinese New Years, we have loads of fun activities:  everyone is setting off fireworks, making traditional Chinese food, visit friends and familySo this week is really pleasant but busy!  Somehow, I still successfully finished 3 session during this week!  I hope that our other Language Challengers from China were also to make good use of this week as it can get busy! Last night before I went out to attend a party, I took my 3rd lesson of the week 3 at my place, and my friends who saw me taking a lesson on internet were pretty amazed!  They found it a great way to learn a language!  One of my Korean friend wants to learn English, so she immediately asked me to help her finding an English teacher on italki! My advice for her was to look into teachers profile carefully, then to schedule a couple of trial lessons with different teachers. Because finding the right teacher for yourself is very important for your language learning! Personally I have tried 4 different teachers on italki, and in the end I found the right one for me, and since then I started seeing some amazing improvement in my French learning.  Its also SO nice that I can do all of this in the comfort of my own home.  Whats pretty cool for me is that with our newest feature Instant Tutoring you can start a lesson whenever you want without scheduling, so it is more convenient for you to try some other teachers! I have finished 9 sessions in the past 3 weeks, and 22 days to go! I will start to take 4 lessons per week from next week! I feel my french really progressed a lot so taking lessons is not a burden for me anymore because I really enjoy the feeling of progressing! Good luck with the Challenge at the halfway point!  Together we can do it! Lexie Language Challenge Week 3 Taking my French sessions over Chinese New Years Hi Everyone! First of all, Happy Chinese New Year!!! At Week 3 of the Language Challenge, I ran into Chinese New Years our biggest national holiday here in China.  Its a 7-day break here in China (everyone at italki is off as well).   I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Years! So heres my current status updates: Language Challenge Completed Sessions:  9 Language Challenge Sessions Remaining:  11 Session Schedule for Week 3:  4 During Chinese New Years, we have loads of fun activities:  everyone is setting off fireworks, making traditional Chinese food, visit friends and familySo this week is really pleasant but busy!  Somehow, I still successfully finished 3 session during this week!  I hope that our other Language Challengers from China were also to make good use of this week as it can get busy! Last night before I went out to attend a party, I took my 3rd lesson of the week 3 at my place, and my friends who saw me taking a lesson on internet were pretty amazed!  They found it a great way to learn a language!  One of my Korean friend wants to learn English, so she immediately asked me to help her finding an English teacher on italki! My advice for her was to look into teachers profile carefully, then to schedule a couple of trial lessons with different teachers. Because finding the right teacher for yourself is very important for your language learning! Personally I have tried 4 different teachers on italki, and in the end I found the right one for me, and since then I started seeing some amazing improvement in my French learning.  Its also SO nice that I can do all of this in the comfort of my own home.  Whats pretty cool for me is that with our newest feature Instant Tutoring you can start a lesson whenever you want without scheduling, so it is more convenient for you to try some other teachers! I have finished 9 sessions in the past 3 weeks, and 22 days to go! I will start to take 4 lessons per week from next week! I feel my french really progressed a lot so taking lessons is not a burden for me anymore because I really enjoy the feeling of progressing! Good luck with the Challenge at the halfway point!  Together we can do it!

Free stargazing guide in this weekends Telegraph

Free stargazing guide in this weekends Telegraph Something for all our budding Physicists and Mathematicians (and anyone else interested in astronomy!): This weekend's edition of the Telegraph will please astronomy enthusiasts everywhere: they're giving away a free stargazing guide, created in association with the team behind the renowned Sky and Night programme. It comes in two parts, one for each day of the weekend. It'll be packed with info for stargazers young and old; for those with high-end telescopes and those who prefer to experience the stars au naturale with the naked eye. As far as we can tell, the core content will be details on the must-see astronomical events of 2013: eclipses, meteor showers and planetary alignments. We hope it'll also contain information on the comet event of the century, the passing of comet ISON later this year. ISON is projected to pass Earth during December, and to be fifteen times brighter than the moon. It's going to be passing within 40 million miles of us, which is under half the Earth's distance from the Sun. Astronomers think it'll put on a show as grand as the famed Comet of 1680, which was visible during daytime and enabled Isaac Newton to prove Kepler's planetary laws. The guide will also contain charts and guides on how to see all the old stellar favourites: the Pleiades star cluster, for example; or the Andromeda Galaxy, the Orion nebula and the rings of Saturn, things that look great even through binoculars. If you've never tried astronomy, this would be a great time to start. It is a 'humbling and character building experience', as the famous American astronomer Carl Sagan once said. It certainly has the awe factor, and the ability to make the heavily theoretical subjects of Mathematics and Physics come alive in a spectacular fashion.

Traveling 101 Surviving long haul flights

Traveling 101 Surviving long haul flights If someone told you that they enjoyed long haul flights, you’d probably do a double-take. That’s because there’s nothing much to enjoy about being on a plane for 10+ hours. It’s tough to stretch out your legs and get comfortable enough to sleep, the food isn’t anything to write home about, and you can’t account for who you’ll be sitting next to. But for teachers heading to teach overseas this New Year, we’ve compiled a list of ways to make long haul flights a little more bearable. A good seat should be your top priority. If you’re on a 10+ hour flight, it’s likely that you’re going to need to use the washroom at least once, so a good seat means an aisle seat. Believe us, the novelty of looking out the window and seeing the ocean will wear off just as soon as you have to ask your neighbor to move for a second time. Even better than just an average aisle seat, though, is an aisle seat with no one beside you. If you’re traveling alone, pick a seat in the window row if there’s a three-seat configuration. Make sure to pick a row where the window seat is already booked. Being crammed between two strangers is no one’s cup of tea. These middle seats are likely to be the last booked, so you might be lucky enough to get an empty seat between you and the person sitting in the window seat. Watch what you eat. A couple of days before you leave, try to make sure you’re eating healthy. You’ll feel pretty uncomfortable sitting on a long flight if you’ve stuffed yourself with junk food. Our bodies don’t digest fatty foods and foods filled with sodium very well on a good day, so trying to digest these kinds of food at 30,000 ft in the air is even tougher. But beyond digestion, we also have to worry about blood circulation while flying. Sitting with very little movement for many hours can affect blood flow which can cause swollen feet -- another uncomfortable in-flight experience. Lean toward healthier choices: packages of nuts, water instead of carbonated drinks or alcohol, and vegetables. Make a move. Sitting for a long time isn’t good for your body. Make sure you take regular breaks to get up and walk around or do some exercise in-flight. CNN even put out an in-flight yoga guide. Give yourself the best chance at some sleep. First and foremost: avoid alcohol. Some travelers make the mistake of using alcohol as a sleep aid, but it’s actually a depressant and can also really dehydrate you. If you’re looking for something to help you sleep, try a more natural alternative like melatonin tablets or valerian tea. If there’s an in-flight comfort package available, invest in it. Otherwise, make your own! Pack a sleep mask, some ear plugs, and even a small blanket if possible. These small things can go a long way when it comes to trying to get some sleep. Pack your own entertainment. This is especially crucial when in-flight movies are pre-picked and shown to all passengers. It’s good to have some distractions that will keep you happy. Bring your favourite book or magazine, stock your iTunes library with a couple of movies or a TV series you’ve been meaning to watch, bring a journal and list all the places you’d like to visit once you arrive -- just think ahead about what you’ll do if the in-flight movies are a drag. We know that long flights are no one’s favorite, but if you follow these tips, you can minimize some of the travel stress you’ll experience. Especially if you’re heading to work within the first few days of landing, you’ll want to make sure your flight is the best that it can be. What have you done in the past to make long haul flights more bearable? Share with us below in the comments!