Poetry Competitions in the UK

Poetry Competitions in the UK How to Find and Enter UK Poetry Competitions ChaptersHow to Find Poetry Writing Contests to EnterEntering a Magazine Poem CompetitionPopular UK Poetry CompetitionsHave a Go at Poetry ReadingWhat is a Poetry Slam?Poetry is a popular creative outlet among all kinds of people, but attitudes to one’s own work can differ greatly. While some prefer to keep their poems private, others are keen to share their work with others.One popular way that budding poets share their work is through entering poetry competitions.There are many advantages to submitting your work to be judged other than the possibility of a prize; some writing competitions offer feedback on your work, regardless of how far you get in the competition, and some organisations may publish entrants’ work in an anthology or poetry collection â€" so you might even get spotted!Whatever your motives for entering your work in to a poetry competition, whether you have one poem you’re particularly proud of, or you simply want to share your work with the general public, ent ering a competition is a great way to get to know the world of poetry in a new way, one which will boost your self-esteem both in general and as a poet.It may surprise you to know that the world of poetry competitions is diverse in several aspects.Some competitions involve writing poetry around a certain theme, while others impose a word limit, a certain rhyme scheme or a particular form such as a haiku, however, you don’t even have to be a poet yourself, as there are also poetry recitation competitions to choose from.If you’re looking for information on the different types of poetry competition, or you’d like to find a competition to enter, you’ve come to the right place!Find good poetry lessons here.

How Progressive Professionals Can Promote a Forward-Thinking Workplace - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How Progressive Professionals Can Promote a Forward-Thinking Workplace - Introvert Whisperer How Progressive Professionals Can Promote a Forward-Thinking Workplace You see the bigger picture at work, keep a focus on your organization’s path into the future, and are open to just about any possibility. Along with being an introvert, you are a forward thinker. But what happens when a forward-thinking professional works for a company that doesn’t have the same type of culture? You may get frustrated, exhausted, and even question if getting a new job could solve your workplace problems.     Forward-thinking workplaces have one thing in common: they recognize and even celebrate their employees as a way of showing how they value their staff members. This is usually part of their company culture and can go a long way in keeping staff engaged and happy at work. Many companies have embraced a progressive work environment to flip the script on how staff perceive their job, managers, and coworkers.   If you’re looking for ways to change your company culture, you’ve come to the right place. Here are three strategies you can use to start a positive cultural revolution in your workplace.   Suggest Sustainability Activities like recycling, wildlife protection, and waste reduction are the most common sustainability practices. Creating a sustainable business encompasses these activities but goes a bit further. Sustainability in the workplace requires a broader consciousness about conservation, protection, and environmental stewardship.     Large corporations like Nike and Walmart have embraced sustainability initiatives that improve the environment and save money. Nike tracked the sustainability metrics of their suppliers. This gave them essential data that helped revise their business practices only to choose suppliers that have proven sustainability practices. Wal-Mart looked at metrics like water use, agricultural yields, and gas emissions and found areas for improvement. The changes they implemented reduced foot costs by $3.5 billion.     You’ll probably need to start on a much smaller scale than these examples. The good news for you is that, as an introvert, you’ve probably already observed and worked through a few ways your workplace can go green. If your employer doesn’t participate in simple sustainability practices like recycling, start there. Speak to your manager or human resources to offer ideas of how the company can embrace sustainability practices and save a little money in the process. Here are a few recycling at work ideas you can use to get started:   Recycle cardboard Refurbish old computers Switch to recycled paper Refill or recycle printer cartridges Switch to real mugs in the breakroom Set up recycling stations   Use rechargeable batteries Raise Awareness for Noble Causes Progressive company cultures often focus on social justice issues that are important to the business and their employees. For some companies, this might mean engaging in dialogue about topics both inside and outside of working hours as well as planning events that align with the mission of the issues they support. If you’re trying to begin these conversations, be sure that you know who to speak to and how to strike up the conversation.     Find a cause that aligns with the company culture or events at the workplace. For example, if a coworker was recently diagnosed with cancer, consider creating a team to walk in a local American Cancer Society Event. You might also find local causes such as homelessness or child abuse in your community. If you’re looking for a national organization, consider the Take Back the Night Foundation, which helps to raise awareness about all forms of sexual and domestic violence.     Regardless of the cause you choose, find a few coworkers who share your passion for raising awareness before you approach administration. Create a thoughtful plan that includes possible fundraising activities and a list of who will be in charge of events. Present both positive and negative effects for the company, such as increased morale and potential decreased productivity. Once you get the go-ahead from administration, get creative with ways to embed social awareness in your company culture.   Pitch New Work Schedule Options Many introverts long for the ability to work in the quiet of their own home, at least a few days a week. Some employers have embraced progressive work schedules, which can include anything from a four-day workweek to allowing employees to work from home. Some employers might frown at the notion of not having direct access to staff by just walking past a cubicle. Another concern that the company may have includes unforeseen costs in adopting new technologies to communicate with staff when they’re not on site.     If you and your coworkers are looking for ways to suggest a work change that will be taken seriously, the first step is to just talk about what you want. Bring up ideas like telecommuting, part-time work, or a shorter workweek during a staff meeting to see how everyone reacts.     Make sure you prepare your “elevator pitch,” which is a quick and concise speech about how your proposal can benefit both employees and the company. Bring up benefits such as reducing the risk of burnout at work, increasing staff creativity, and even lowering costs for the company if workspaces could be downsized. Once you’ve opened up the dialogue, give it some time before you bring up the topic again to allow leadership plenty of time and space to think about the idea before making a decision.     You should expect a little resistance from higher-ups at first. Stay positive and use language that shows you’re willing to work through the process with them. You can say statements like, “I can see lots of ways this can benefit the company. “ Make sure to ask questions so that you understand their concerns too. Try starting with “What concerns do you have from a global point of view about these work schedule changes?” Statements and questions like these will help keep the dialogue flowing from all parties involved.   Moving Your Company Culture Forward When you strike up these conversations and initiatives at work, some people may be surprised that you took on such a big problem. However, we know that introverts can be team-building superstars in the workplace and can get everyone working on a shared vision for the future. Use these strategies to get your company moving towards a forward-thinking culture to keep the organization growing and staff happy with their work environment. Image Source: Unsplash By Sam Bowman Sam Bowman  is a freelance writer and introvert who enjoys getting to utilize the internet for the community without actually having to leave his house. In his spare time, he likes running, reading, and combining the two in a run to his local bookstore. Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!   Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Guest Podcast One Thing In A French Day

Guest Podcast One Thing In A French Day Megan L. You know the best way to learn French is to practice every day, but where should you start? One of our favorite ways to study any language is listening to  podcasts! Not only do you get the benefit of hearing spoken French, podcasts also contain interesting tidbits of vocabulary and culture you might not get in a textbook. And besides that, podcasts are simply  fun. One of our favorite French podcasts is One Thing In A French  Day, a podcast that chronicles one womans life in France and presents quick tidbits of daily life in French. In this guest podcast, Laetitia of One Thing  In A French Day talks about visiting a special Parisian bakery with a diabetic friend. Aujourd’hui, j’ai accompagné une de mes amies dans un endroit où je ne pensais jamais pouvoir aller avec elle : dans une pâtisserie. Mon amie Maryam est diabétique, elle suit une hygiène de vie qui a pour but de lui faire prendre le moins d’insuline possible. Les gâteaux ne sont donc pas au programme. Jeudi 12 novembre 2015 La pâtisserie Eugène Aujourd’hui, j’ai accompagné une de mes amies dans un endroit où je ne pensais jamais pouvoir aller avec elle : dans une pâtisserie. Mon amie Maryam est diabétique, elle suit une hygiène de vie qui a pour but de lui faire prendre le moins  d’insuline possible. Les gâteaux ne sont donc pas au programme. Ce qui est étonnant c’est qu’elle ne subit pas sa maladie, elle la vit, elle l’entraîne avec elle, elle lui fait prendre des chemins inattendus. Par exemple, le sport est devenu très  important, il lui permet de faire mieux contrôler sa glycémie. Et c’est ainsi que par le sport, elle a vécu une belle aventure : le marathon de Paris. Elle s’est entraînée pendant un an et elle l’a couru au printemps dernier. En ce qui concerne les  repas qu’elle se choisit, elle les apprécie avec chaque cellule de son corps, comme elle dit. Lorsque j’ai entendu parler de cette pâtisserie parisienne dont les gâteaux ont été spécialement créés pour les diabétiques, j’ai pensé à elle. A l’origine du projet, il y a un homme diabétique et très gourmand et un pâtissier.     Maryam a été enthousiasmée par l’idée et elle était très curieuse de voir l’effet de ces pâtisseries sur elle. Nous y sommes allées cet après-midi. Après avoir longuement étudié la magnifique vitrine de pâtisseries, Maryam a choisi pour nous  deux gâteaux : un éclair à la vanille de Madagascar et une tartelette choco-café. Nous sommes rentrées chez elle pour notre dégustation.   Nous avons partagé les gâteaux en deux et nous avons commencé par l’éclair à la vanille. La vanille, un arôme qui n’était plus qu’un souvenir pour Maryam. C’était une dégustation pleine d’émotions. Cet éclair m’a beaucoup plu, parce que la  mousse à la vanille était vraiment délicieuse et le sucre, pour une fois, ne s’octroyait pas la première place. La tarte choco-café était également très réussie.   Maryam a contrôlé sa glycémie avant la dégustation, puis après une heure et deux heures. Elle avait grimpé bien sûr, mais rien d’incontrôlable par rapport au plaisir ressenti. Merci, cher Eugène?! REPERES Le site de la pâtisserie Eugène : http://eugene.paris/ PINTEREST : le tableau de One Thing In A French Day http://j.mp/SjSKHR TROIS TOURNURES DE PHRASES UTILES Un endroit â€" J’aime beaucoup cet endroit.       â€" C’est un drôle d’endroit, entre le salon de thé et la librairie.   â€" Que penses-tu de cet endroit??     Etre curieux de quelque chose â€" J’étais curieuse de voir cet endroit par moi-même.       â€" Etienne m’a dit qu’il était curieux de connaître ta réaction.   â€" Je suis curieuse de faire sa connaissance. Il paraît qu’il est très sympathique.   Pour une fois â€" D’habitude j’y vais à pied, mais pour une fois j’ai pris la voiture.   â€" Allez, Papa, dis oui?! Pour une fois s’il te plaît?!       â€" C’est vraiment dommage qu’elle n’ait pas pu venir, pour une fois que nous étions tous réunis.     Nhésitez pas à vous abonner à la NEWSLETTER DU PODCAST Did you learn anything new from this special podcast? Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us what  French podcast topics youd like to hear next! 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

What to Do Once You Receive Your PSAT Scores

What to Do Once You Receive Your PSAT Scores Receiving your PSAT scores can be stressfuland confusing. Its all too easy to transfer how you feel about your results onto your overall academic self-esteema natural but not necessarily helpful connectionand its easy to feel at a loss for what to do next. So what should you do once you receive your PSAT scores? Take these three steps. Once you receive your PSAT scores, assess your strengths and weaknesses If you took the PSAT in October 2018, you will be able to access your scores between December 10 and 12, depending on what state you live in. (Visit The College Board to find out which date corresponds to your state.) Your score report will include results that correspond to math, reading, and writing and language. Youll also receive section scores for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and for Math. Additionally, there are cross-test scores, which pull out selected questions across the previously mentioned subjects of math, reading, and writing and language, and analyze them for your performance in history/social studies, as well as science. Finally, your report will include subscores, or more detailed sections under the umbrellas of: Math Reading Writing and Language. These results will give you more information about what content areas you were strong in, as well as which areas you need more practice inwhether youre planning to retake the PSAT as a junior or in preparation for the ACT or SAT. [RELATED: What is an Average PSAT Score?] Create a study plan for the ACT or SAT once you receive your PSAT scores The next step is to make a study plan for the ACT or SAT, depending on which test you would like to take. In addition to analyzing your subscores/content areas, look at your score report to see how you did on easy, medium, and hard questions. This can help you come up with the best test-taking strategies for yourself. For example, if you frequently missed easy questions, it could be because of careless mistakes. Youll want to spend a bit more time, then, reading carefully so as not to miss easy points. If, on the other hand, you missed a lot of hard questions, use best practices like checking that youre not missing anything at every step, and again, that youve read the question carefully. Not only can online resources be helpful at this juncture, but ACT/SAT test prep books can be great. You may also want to sign up for ACT tutoring or SAT tutoring. Lastly, once youve decided on your SAT or ACT test date, create a plan in terms of how much time you want to spend studying daily, weekly, and monthly leading up to the exam. This will help you stay on track in terms of content areas, as well as taking practice tests (which youll want to do in the weeks leading up to the actual test). Once you receive your PSAT scores, visit your guidance counselor After youve received your scores, visit your academic counselor. They will be able to give you tips and insight into how to move forward. If your PSAT score qualifies you for the National Merit Scholarship Program, which offers funding for college, and youre not sure what to do next, your guidance counselor can help you. They can also help you look up colleges that may be good matches for you, depending on your scores and your overall academic progress. In addition to a counselor, a teacher or other academic professional may be a great resource for you as you look ahead to the next standardized test and to college. When youve received your scores, you should celebrate regardless of whether youve received the score you wantedyouve taken an important test, youve come through to the other side, and you now have more information about yourself as a test-taker. Now its time to look forward. 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.

Learn English Phrasal Verbs with PUT and their meanings

Learn English Phrasal Verbs with PUT and their meanings Phrasal verbs are a big part of the English Language. They are an informal form of the language but  can also be used in more formal communication. Here are some examples of English phrasal verbs with PUT. English Phrasal Verbs with Put PUT OFFWe use this phrasal verb when we wish to postpone cancel or delay a meeting or similar  appointment. It can be used to postpone the meeting for a short time or a longer period or  indefinitely.ex. Irene asked if we could put off the lesson until she was feeling better. She would contact  me in a few days to re arrange. The rain was heavy and had not stopped for at least two days. The  concert would have to be put off until another date.We can also use PUT OFF to mean that we may not like something or somebody because of something  the person said or because of some action.ex. Sara quite liked Antonio but she was put off him by  her friend who told him he could not be trusted. Julia was going to climb the volcano but was put off  when she heard that the volcano had shown some signs of being active! Phrasal Verbs with PUT - Infographic Don't keepit to yourself, tell the world: PUT ASIDE  We can use this in quite a few ways. If we want to save some money for a special purpose (a future holiday, perhaps) or event we often save that money in a special bank account. Here we  say we put aside some money each month.ex. Anton was buying a new apartment. The apartment  would be completed in about 6 months. He decided to put aside some of his salary each month to  purchase the new furniture he would need.We also use PUT ASIDE to try and get some people to begin talking to each other after some  misunderstanding or argument.ex. Don’t you think it was about time you put aside your differences (whatever your argument was about) and try to improve your relationship. PUT UP WITHWe use this phrasal verb to explain a situation when we have to accept some situation  that we would prefer not to. It could be a visit from somebody we do not particularly like or a work  situation that we would prefer not to tolerate.ex. Catherine had put up with her husbands’ drinking for  many years. She finally could not accept it any longer and told him if he did not get help she would  leave him.PUT DOWNLiterally to put down is to place or replace something you have picked up.ex. I picked up the  package and put it down on the table. However, it has other meanings and uses. It can refer to the  way in which we stop an animal from any further suffering if it has had an accident or is seriously ill.ex. The dog was in great pain. It would not survive. The vet believed the best thing for everybody was to  put it down (put it asleep).We can also use PUT DOWN to refer to how we can humiliate or make fun of  somebody by using clever words or jokes. We often see this on t elevision when comedians make fun  of politicians.ex. Charles was always very careful not to say the wrong thing at the staff meetings. At  the last meeting someone asked whether bonuses would be paid and the boss put her down with a  very sarcastic joke. Everyone laughed but the person was really embarrassed.PUT DOWN also means to make a note or to write downex.  I made every one of my sons football games because Id committed to it and  put it down in my calendar.And finally, PUT DOWN means to pay a deposit for something, for example, your new car, your new apartment (house), your summer holiday or flight ticketsex. We put down a deposit on a house last week.A PUT-DOWN is also a noun. It was a very witty put-down. Notice how it is written differently: PUT DOWN -phrasal verb   and PUT-DOWN noun.One of my English learning videos on YouTube is about Phrasal Verbs with PUT. There are couple more phrasal verbs included in it. Enjoy the content! Phrasal Verbs with PUT - Video Lesson

The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall and Other English Expressions

The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall and Other English Expressions One of our English students recently wrote us an email asking about this English idiomatic expression:The sooner, the better. I would have rather say the soonest, the best. Why use a comparative?  Are there any other expressions where we use THE + the ER form or THE MORE (instead of the MOST) ?What our student is referring to is sometimes called a double comparative. Some of the most famous are The more, the merrier, and The bigger they are, the harder they fall.Dont take it too literally.We use the + comparative/the + comparative to show one thing depends on something else:The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Fall Meaning:How hard a person falls depends on how big they are. The idea here is that if someone has a lot of money, fame, power, strength, etc. it will more difficult for them to lose those things (fall).More Examples English Double Comparatives:The more I study English, the easier it gets.The harder you study, the faster youll learn.You can even make your own contradictory/ ironic sentences:The more I study, the less I know.The harder I work, the poorer I get.The more, the merrier, the more people, the merrier (more fun) the party, concert, etc. will be.The more things change, the more they stay the same. This one is intentionally contradictory/ironic. The idea is that people, governments, politicians, etc. always say they are changing to make things better, but really things never change.

Breakfast Changing Lives One Day at a Time

Breakfast Changing Lives One Day at a Time lifeofpix.com However, a new survey conducted by TODAY revealed some positive news that I’m reporting to brighten your day! Breakfast is changing us all for the better! Yup, it’s a ridiculous statement but there’s some merit to it, and it’s all true (at least, for viewers of the TODAY show). For one thing, according to the survey, a total of eight out of 10 participants agree that breakfast routines help them to stay healthier throughout the day (and most make healthier breakfasts as well). The survey revealed that 86 percent are eating breakfast each and every day. The most important meal of the day is helping people stay on track throughout the rest of the day, and that’s a big deal when it comes to health. The study also revealed that these breakfast routines are changing people’s ideas of what it means to eat a healthy breakfast. In other words, the French toast strips aren’t cutting it, and people are opting for protein bars, smoothies, and other healthy alternatives. The study also revealed that morning time with the family is now just as important as dinner time. So for you and your roommates, this means that breakfast before class is a great way to spend time together, get to know one another more, and get that extra quality time to help build your relationship. Another interesting aspect of the study was that it shows redefined gender roles in that dads are the most common breakfast makers in the morning. Progress! The study also revealed that breakfast meetings are becoming more common and that it’s bettering our vocabulary when it comes to food. Did anyone know you could eat an avocado if it wasn’t in guacamole? Well, we do now! Kind of. The study also revealed that a big aspect of this new appreciation for breakfast comes from social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram, and SnapChat, where individuals can continuously update their friends on their every move, including their mealtime habits. The survey also revealed that one out of every two participants found that the morning was the best “me” time, which is a big reason why they loved their breakfast time. This is also a great time to meet new people as we look the freshest and ready for coffee dates. Plus, these dates easily fit into your schedule, so long as you’re a bit of an early bird. And ever have a late night out with friends? People are still getting up early to have breakfast as a group, something that’s becoming much more popular according to the survey. And this is all not to mention the way that these habits have changed fast food now, McDonalds has all day breakfast, Starbucks is continually adding new drinks to its menu, and other chains are opening earlier or remaining open 24 hours for those early birds and night owls. And how many times since you’ve been in college have you had breakfast for dinner? Probably more than you’re willing to admit. But that’s because breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, and we’re now ready for it whenever we want it. Literally. And 77 percent of participants claim they are seeking new blenders and other tech items simply because of their morning routine. People are now becoming more creative, taking the time to prepare their food to post a picture of it instead of simply throwing something together and leaving the house. It’s perhaps a generational thing, as the previous generation is used to the traditional bacon and eggs while this generation turned to avocado toast and yogurt bowls with your favorite fixings. Essentially, breakfast has become such an important part of our lives again that it’s actually defining us for the better. It may be ridiculous, and perhaps not the good news that you’re really waiting for, but it’s something in the midst of all this dreariness! And something is without a doubt better than nothing. So put together some breakfast for dinner, skip over the news channel and watch a new TV show or movie, or simply snuggle up with a good book or a loved one (if they aren’t one and the same). Because it’s about time something good happens in our lives, even if that thing is simply a good breakfast. Stay safe out there!