Useful Tips for Buying Textbook For Learning English

Useful Tips for Buying Textbook For Learning EnglishTextbook for learning English as a foreign language is a very useful resource to gain proficiency in any foreign language. They also help students to learn to read and write and they give tips and advice on how to pronounce the various characters. However, most of these books are too dry and lack the fresh and exciting ideas that encourage readers to spend more time with them. If you would like to have one in your own home, you can easily do so by doing online searches.First, go to the search engines and type 'textbook for learning English 'learning English textbooks'. You will get a list of thousands of results. The advantage of doing this is that you will not get disappointed if the book does not have the desired content that you are looking for.You can get them at an affordable rate, because you can compare prices offered by different sources. However, the advantage is that you can always choose to purchase what you need from a r eliable source.You can also check for other texts like flashcards, text books, dictionaries, word processors, and so on that will help you in understanding and writing English. These provide numerous hours of practice.You can also download them from your favorite internet sites to use as a study guide for the new vocabulary and sentence structures. They also provide useful tips on how to pronounce the foreign letters properly. It makes it easy for students to understand and communicate using this language.However, if you would like to purchase a book on this topic for home study, an excellent idea is to purchase a used textbook. You will be able to find many of them in your local library or in the departmental store. It is also possible to find them on online book stores.Of course, it is much better if you are buying a brand new copy as a gift to your child who has a difficult time with English. It will also make a great teaching aid for your own kids as they take it along with them when they travel to school.It is not hard to find such a textbook for learning English, but it is important that you do some homework before you decide on which one to buy. Compare the prices and features of different ones. Also, be sure to consider the time and effort it will take to read and study the textbook before purchasing.

The top 12 degrees that will secure you a job - Tutor Hunt Blog

The top 12 degrees that will secure you a job The top 12 degrees that will secure you a job The top 12 degrees that will secure you a jobUniversitiesWith UK university graduates now enjoying the highest amount of debt in the world - an average of 44,000 - it is becoming increasingly prudent to pick a course that is likely to guarantee you a well-paid job. Knowledge broadens the mind, sets us free, and all the other clich s - but what we really want is for universities to be producing graduates with practical, job related skills. Living costs are on the rise, and the cost of higher education is increasing, so many students are understandably asking which university courses offer the best value for money. The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) conducted a survey in last year, covering the 2014-15 period. They determined the 12 university degrees that successfully enabled more than 80% of graduates to find a job in their chosen field within 6 months of leaving university. Here is a list of the subjects in reverse order: 12. Historical and Philosophical Studies This is perhaps a surprising inclusion into the list - how many professions can there be for which a history and philosophy degree would be seen as a major asset? Apparently many businesses view these qualifications highly, with law and accountancy firms, along with media outlets regularly taking on graduates. The HESA survey showed that 87.7% of students leaving university with this degree secured employment within 6 months. 11. Engineering and Technology This is certainly a predictable degree to have on the list - demand for STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) has always been high. The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has said the UK economy is due for a science and technology boom, and that this sector will account for 25% of all new jobs by 2016/17. A solid 87.8% of Engineering and Technology graduates secured further education or a job or within six months of leaving university. 10. Creative Arts and Design Degrees in the arts are often disparaged, and seen as qualifications for those not up to the rigorous academic demands of the more `serious` subjects. The fact that 87.9% of these graduates went on to find work or further study in this field is testament to the vitality and economic importance of this sector. 9. Languages With the rise of globalisation, businesses can have the whole world as their marketplace. The multiplicity of languages can be an obvious impediment to this, and so fluency in different tongues will certainly be seen as an asset. Spanish and Mandarin are among the most demanded languages, and 88% of language students found work within 6 months of graduating. 8. Business and Administrative Studies Someone with a sound knowledge of how a business works will be an asset to any company. 88.3% of graduates with this degree found work within six months of leaving university, a figure up from 85% back in 2013. 7. Biological Sciences Many specialists predict that we are on the cusp of a biotech revolution, a boom which will be spoken of with the same importance as the industrial revolution by future historians. ; Better drugs and antibiotics, stem cell applications, improved organ transplantation - these are among the things that graduates in this field will be working on. An astonishing 89.2% of of students with a biological sciences degree found work in their chosen area within 6 months of leaving university. 6. Law A degree in law has always been a very desirable accolade, perhaps because it virtually guarantees you a well-paid and interesting career. In this litigious age there is huge demand for graduates with a law degree, which is why 89.9% of those in the HESA survey went onto find work or extra study within 6 months of completing their course. 5. Architecture, Building and Planning With London`s skyline reaching for the sky, and the the rocketing housing prices making designer flats appear all over the capital, architects and planners are in huge demand. Its not just the London that needs them though - proved by 90.1% of these graduates finding jobs or seeking further study throughout the country. 4. Education We keep hearing about how the mounting bureaucracy and and endless lesson plans are putting people off becoming teachers - this could be why 94.4% of those with degrees relating to education found work or further study within six months of graduating. 3. Any subjects affiliated with medicine This is such a broad category simply because demand is so high. If you have a degree in any medical subject, from neurology, reflexology, parasitology, or microbiology, you are almost guaranteed a job upon leaving university. 95.3% of students with one of these qualifications found work in their chosen discipline, or went on to further specialist studies within six months. 2. Veterinary science Becoming a vet is a childhood dream for many, but few actually complete the four years of veterinary medicine - perhaps most augment their aspirations, and choose instead to study human anatomy. There is a huge demand for graduates in this field, which is why 95.9% of them will find work or further study within six months. 1. Medicine & dentistry Most people would probably have expected these subjects to be placed in the top position. We are all living longer, and as such will require more healthcare for longer periods of time; and our appetite for all things sweet means that dentists will always be in demand. An astonishing 96.6% of students with a degree in Medicine or dentistry either walked into a job, or found further studies in their field within six months of graduating. 2 years ago0Add a Comment

Can We Please Stick With True Journalism

Can We Please Stick With True Journalism Photo credit- Google Images Given all of the recent misreporting and media frenzy, it might be time to make sure those of dedicated to writing remember what true journalism looks like. Breaking a story in today’s fast-paced digital world is important, but accuracy still weighs in a little heavier. Break the story, but don’t report information until it is proven accurate through fact-checking. A journalist can break a story with minimal details and update the public after credible sources can confirm additional information. In times of uncertainty and frenzy, misinformation only adds to the chaos. It’s important to remember these aspects of true journalism for the sake of public sanity (and your job): Get accurate info- If you do nothing else, at least get the facts  rather than  some clip of information that might sound true. Reach out to multiple solid sources. Relying on only a few questionable sources in an effort to break a story diminishes a journalist’s credibility. Be patient- a true journalist understands the importance of waiting a little longer to let the story unfold. The big picture is oftentimes more revealing than the short story at the forefront. Remain objective- emotional situations can lead to improper reporting. Objectivity is a journalist’s greatest asset when the facts need to be laid out for the public. Report the happenings, not the emotion behind them. Stay open-minded- Remember keep your eyes and ears open. Many times, the best story is an accident. Focus on the story at hand, but be willing to travel a little off course if necessary.  Journalists have a code of ethics to follow and a standard to strive for. Reporting to the public is one of the most difficult jobs a person can undertake. Just one reporting mishap can make an entire organization look bad. Breaking headline news is only beneficial when the facts are checked, well written, and relevant.

Glass Chemistry Set For Your Home

Glass Chemistry Set For Your HomeIf you are looking for a way to bring a little of nature into your home, you may consider getting a glass chemistry set. When it comes to science, there is nothing more fun than seeing the process of pure experiment take place in front of you, so if you have a glass chemistry set you will get to see exactly what happens when you put things together.Science kits are always a hit with children and these kits come with everything you need to get started. Whether you decide to make a science experiment out of salt or look at pictures of stars, you will be able to make the work of a scientist easier to handle. It's just a matter of getting your hands on the right kit and learning all about what to do.Glass chemistry sets give you all the options that you will need to get started. There are chemistry sets that you can use to make simple chemical reactions and there are also ones which allow you to do complicated experiments. Whatever you choose will depend on how much money you want to spend.Kits which are a little more expensive will also come with a great selection of pre-made components. However, you do have to make sure that the kit contains the correct amount of every chemical that you will need. Make sure that the kit has all the chemicals that you need and that you have enough of them. It's a good idea to check the list of ingredients carefully before buying the kit.If you're only interested in trying the chemistry in glass, you may not need to worry about having all the elements at your disposal. Some of the higher priced kits will contain just the components that you will need to make the reaction work. You can also get kits which offer a variety of chemical options in a single kit.In case you are looking for something a little bit more complex, you will be able to find a glass chemistry set which provides for everything you need. These kits are usually quite expensive though, so you will have to make sure that you are ready to spend a lot of money. If you are able to buy the kit for less than ten dollars, you can save a lot of money.Glass science kits are great options if you are interested in learning about chemistry. They are great for scientific experiments, projects or for just keeping an eye on things. They are easy to use and provide you with all the components that you will need to start doing simple experiments.

Organic Chemistry - Crystal Field Theory

Organic Chemistry - Crystal Field TheoryCrystal Field Theory is one of the most popular and the most complicated science lessons that are offered in high school. This is the kind of lesson that a young student needs to pass to be successful in the AP Chemistry Exam. In this lesson, students learn about the nature of chemical compounds and what they are made of.At the heart of Crystal Field Theory is the concept of what chemical compounds are made of. The students will be taught to learn how to distinguish different elements from each other. They will also learn about elements that are found in the Earth's crust. With all this information in hand, they will be able to learn how to make their own compounds.Crystal Field Theory also teaches students about the basics of atomic and molecular structures. They will learn how the atoms are placed in a lattice and how they are linked together. They will also learn the function of the protons, neutrons, and electrons in the atoms. Learning abo ut these concepts is very important for students to be able to create compounds of their own.At the core of Crystal Field Theory is the concept of phase transformations. As students learn the chemistry, they will be able to identify what molecules are present in their respective phases. The combinations of certain elements will have the potential to change their phase into other phases. At the end of the lesson, they will be able to know which elements they will need to explore further in their own chemistry classes.There are many variations on Crystal Field Theory. Some of the variations are based on elemental phases. For example, in the mineral form of sulfur, the element exists as sulfate and carbonate. Students can choose which aspect of the lecture they will teach their students in their science classes.Crystal Field Theory is so much more than just a way to improve the students' basic understanding of chemistry. This lesson is used in many other classrooms throughout the world . In fact, this lesson is so well known that most teachers today add it to their syllabus when teaching AP Chemistry. Most teachers believe that the content covered in this lesson makes it easy for the students to understand and retain their learning.The benefits of Crystal Field Theory are far reaching. Students will learn how to think about chemical bonds and they will learn how to create their own compounds of chemical compounds.

Central Science Review

Central Science ReviewIf you are a chemistry student and looking to increase your knowledge of this complex field, then the Central Science Edition of the 10th edition of this book will make your day. This is an exceptional chemistry text book that covers the subject from every angle and step of the way. At the same time, it makes for a terrific resource to the real world of chemistry students.The Central Science text book makes no attempt to be very concise or even to hide the fact that it is a massive and very comprehensive study guide. It is all about delivering accurate, professional and valuable information to its readers.The Central Science textbook includes not only detailed and specific knowledge about organic compounds, but also great practical and essential information about industrial process of chemistry, how the basic principles of chemical reaction to take place and the handling of chemical reactions in practice. The book also features introductory materials on common t opics such as solvents, equipment and many more.The Central Science review gives its readers information about where to find this chemistry text book in English. This online resource has them available online. So if you want to grab the right one, you can do so by checking out which one is best for you.The Central Science review also reviews other chemistry texts available in the market, including the new Chemistry for Grownups. They all offer helpful information about what to expect in a chemistry text book.Lastly, the review gives a final proof that this textbook is the best and the most reliable choice for any person interested in getting all the information he needs in the field of chemistry. So even if you're not a serious chemistry student, it will provide you with all the knowledge and information you will need to continue on your way into a great career in the industry.Thus, if you're a chemistry student and have no idea where to get the correct chemistry text book to learn all the basic concepts of this career, this Central Science review will serve as the perfect solution. This is the only reliable and credible source you'll ever need to get reliable and useful information on this subject.

Listening to Music While Studying Can Help

Listening to Music While Studying Can Help Suzy S. Ah, the power of music!   Recent research has found that fast-paced beats can increase your exercise intensity and slow, quiet music can even reduce stress. But what type of music is best to help you study?  Los Angeles teacher Kelly K. shares her findings here It is widely accepted that the best environment for concentration is a quiet one; however the majority of students in the US say they prefer to study while listening to music, and in fact the highest achieving students are even guiltier of this.   Why do students do this?   To block out more distracting noise, to motivate themselves, to stay awake or to calm nerves… Whatever the reason, it’s important to find music that will serve your needs, while causing the least amount of distraction. The type of music a student listens to while studying contributes to how much information she can retain and how well she can focus.   The most common type of music students report listening to while studying is popular music.   However, if a person chooses to listen to music while trying to complete a task, is popular music really the best choice? No!   Classical instrumental is by far the better choice.   Inspired by the findings of “The Mozart Effect,” I researched this further for my senior thesis in college.   I had 112 participants and my results were statistically significant.   I found that, on average, students score 90% on spatial reasoning tasks conducted in silence, 83% when listening to classical instrumental music, and 72% while listening to popular music with lyrics.  This means that your choice of music could affect your GPA by a whole letter grade!   One of the reasons for this may be that, due to a person’s capacity for attention, lyrics inhibit ability to focus. Interestingly enough, I found that women are not only more likely to listen to music while trying to complete a task, but they are also more likely to become distracted by it.   So, girls: try to study in a quiet environment, but if you must listen to music, make a good choice and go for classical rather than popular! No matter what the reason, students are more likely to study while listening to music than to study in silence.   So, make a smart decision and go for classical instead of popular it could make the difference of a whole letter grade! Kelly K. teaches piano to students of all ages and levels in Los Angeles, CA.   She received her Bachelors degree in Psychology and a minor in Music from Scripps College, and joined the TakeLessons team in August 2011. Sign up for lessons with Kelly  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 Photo by billaday.

The Rising Demand for Maths Teachers Tutors

The Rising Demand for Maths Teachers Tutors Become a Maths Tutor or Teacher:  A Fruitful Career in Mathematics ChaptersPerks of Being a Maths TeacherTraits of a Good Maths TutorJob Details of a Maths Tutor/TeacherThe Crucial Maths Knowledge Base If numbers, symbols, formulas, equations, functions and problems are your thing and they keep you occupied and interested throughout the day then you should consider teaching mathematics. It seems a pretty logical choice for you to impart mathematical education to others.Pure Mathematics is like a language and the more fluent a person is in this language the better it is for him and his career as a mathematician. He also need to have a passionate personality and a strong desire to impart your knowledge to others.Apart from that, he also needs to learn how to help others so that they too appreciate the value that comes with solving mathematical problems and mingling with numbers. Teaching is a well-suited career for maths graduates who are both self-motivated and fluent in mathematics.Maths teachers devote majority of their time preparing lessons for t heir students. These lectures need special attention in their preparation because maths is that subject which requires analytical thinking, reasoning and critical thinking skills. A tutor of mathematics needs to prepare his lectures in such a way that his students also grab these crucial mathematical skills just from his lectures. These lessons should also help students understand the uses of mathematics in practical life and how they affect certain phenomena around us.Although maths teaching jobs might sound a bit pedagogic but maths teachers enjoy quite a lot of perks which are seldom found in other maths jobs. Let’s hop into these benefits.has increased 13%.Hence, the job of being a maths teacher comes with a lot of security, both in the present as well as in the future.General Benefits:A teaching career brings with it-self a lot of perks that only teachers or professors enjoy. They certainly get the most significant incentive of 5 days of work per week along with holidays and summer vacations.A Healthy Salary:Maths teacher get a nice average salary of about £44,222. Not surprisingly, the maths teachers around UK had a 14% increase in their average salary that equals nearly £2,280Live a Happy and Easy life being a maths teacher. (Source: pixabay )Lots of facilities: The Maths teachers are making the most out of the commodities which are otherwise becoming scarce for other professions. Crucial benefits of health, pension, insurance etc. are still applicable on teachers Most schools and universities pay their teachers and professors a good amount of pension after their retirement. Not to mention other benefits of being a teacher, such as, tuition reimbursement, sick days, hospital entitlement etc. Any potential maths graduates who are soon to become job seekers, must consider opting for a teaching profession.The job of maths teacher does not just include teaching and preparing lectures. A maths teacher must also assess the proficiency and progress of his student because once a student fall behind in maths, it is difficult for him to catch up and gain from the benefits of the lectures.Let us peek at what qualities makes a great maths teacher!Discover the jobs you could get as a Professional mathematician.Traits of a Good Maths TutorMathematics teachers are no ordinary people. They possess a certain, unique way of thinking. They are conceptual thinkers and have minds that know how to think and analyze logically. Their memorization skills are also top-notch because remembering numbers and formulas is no piece of cake!They possess a natural ability to:Identify patternsRecognize similarities and differences among entities that aren’t easily obvious to others.Think fast and that too logicallyTeaching mathematics is no easy job. Just like any other job out there, it also requires a certain level of professionalism. Maths teacher should also be perfectionists when it comes to accuracy and analysis because even the slightest deviation in m athematics can be a matter of success or loss. Dedication is also necessary because without dedication, maths teachers can deliver lectures but cannot penetrate the brains of their students.To make sure the students are not merely listening to lectures but also understanding the thought process and the rules and procedures, the maths teacher must put in real effort.Here are some of the traits found in maths teachers who are loved and remembered by their students:They are amiable and easily approachable. Students never shy away from asking questions from them and figuring out answers.They are well-organized and well-paced during their courseThey possess a high level of patience needed to cope with the attention required by students in their help with step by step problem solving.They are not only intrigued with challenges of the real-world problems but also with the situations that can be made applicable to the mathematical solutions.They are curious by nature, and have a strong comm itment to gathering facts, figures and data to prove a something accurate.They can easily communicate concepts and rational topics with the help of numerical expressions, mathematical notations and symbols.Friendly Maths teachers help students learn faster. (Photo credit: dharder9475 via VisualHunt / CC BY-NC)Job Details of a Maths Tutor/TeacherIt is highly important for maths teachers to possess a solid foundation in the very basics of mathematics because these bases then lead to the construction of the whole building i.e. advanced and practical mathematics. They must be skilled in core skills such as division, multiplication, fractions, algebra, equations, trigonometry, derivatives, integration, data analysis and probability.They should craft their lectures in such a way that helps build the cognitive abilities of the students and enhance the existing knowledge they have. The maths teacher should also inspire his students to learn to make real-life connections between concepts an d practical scenarios.At school level, maths teachers need to ensure proficiency of their students in following concepts, theories and topics:Algebraic conceptsDifferentiation and Differential EquationsIntegrationProbabilityStatisticsTrigonometryMathematical InductionIntegersFractionsFunctionsLinear and Non-linear EquationsLimits and summationData analysisPartial Differential EquationsGeometry theoremsThe Crucial Maths Knowledge BaseMathematics is unlike any other subject that is taught to the students and it is not sufficient for the teacher to have knowledge of just the subject. There are three kinds of knowledge which are required to excel in teaching mathematics at school:Knowledge of StudentsKnowledge of Instructional PracticesKnowledge of Mathematics of courseThe term ‘knowledge of Mathematics’ is quite self-explanatory. It refers to the knowledge which a maths teacher can transfer to his students via the mathematics courses he is teaching. This includes rigorous mathemati cal facts, concepts, proofs, procedures methods, formulas and their derivation, relationship between various mathematical entities, application of mathematics in real-world problems and numerical analysis.This term however, has a much deeper meaning. It also refers to the ability of the maths teacher to set a goal for the instruction and delivery of mathematics coursework and identifying the key factor for prioritizing and differentiating these goals.The maths teachers do possess much needed maths education but what makes them great teachers is their understanding of the foundation of the concepts and their skill of explaining and breaking ideas into modules. They must also possess a “sense of mathematics” which impacts their decisions and how they interpret the mathematical efforts of their students.Knowledge of student is as much important as knowledge of mathematics is. To succeed as a teacher, the teacher must try to understand the students he is teaching. He needs to unders tand how students learn and study mathematics and how their brains shape the mathematical ideas he has to present to them.Look at all the  maths tutors near me  on Superprof.It is also incumbent upon the maths teachers to identify the problems his students face in understating of mathematical concepts etc. He can use exams, tests and quizzes as a source of identifying the most common problems.The maths teacher should move away from dull, pedagogic techniques of teachings and should instead adopt new, creative and versatile methods of teaching that involves teaching mathematics through experiences, creative approaches, technology, designs and models. His main aim should be to influence the way his students learn, think and approach mathematical problems.The third type of knowledge that is also necessary for a maths teacher to have, is knowledge of instructional practices. This includes the things which are otherwise often overlooked by maths teachers or most often, they don’t take these things serious enough. A maths teacher should also have a knowledge of the course material he will be using, the curriculum along with the knowledge of the tools and tasks needed to teach crucial mathematical ideologies. Knowledge of instructional practices requires a maths teacher to have sufficient knowledge of: -Designing a class curriculumManaging the classroom discourseThe study materials and their sourceA lot of teachers might already be possessing the knowledge of the instruction practices but they still fail to make great teachers and that is because they fail to deploy and use this knowledge correctly in a classroom.P.S Do consider becoming a maths tutor and a Superprof ;)  Thinking about going to business school? Most schools offering these degrees require entrance test exams such as GRE or GMAT.

A Guide to the History of France

A Guide to the History of France Fascinating Facts About France and Its History ChaptersImportant Moments in French HistoryThe French RevolutionImportant Figures Throughout French HistoryFamous French Military Victories and DefeatsBritain vs France: A Love-Hate RelationshipFrance has played a major part in the history of many countries throughout the world â€" but what about the history of France itself?As a relatively large territory in Western Europe, France has endured a lot over the centuries.From the Roman conquest of Gaul in ancient times to the World Wars during the 20th century, modern France is built on a unique history of invasion and revolution, where royalty was once seen as divine and where five republics have been declared since its abolition.Its rocky past is what makes the historical study of France so interesting.However, not only is France famous for its violent past, but also for its people. Some of the most influential people to have ever lived have come from France.Everyone has heard the name ‘Napoleon’ before, but who was he? Why exactl y does France not have a King or Queen? And what was France’s position during the Second World War?This guide to the history of a country which seems to have been at the forefront of many domestic and international battles will tell you all you need to know.So, whether you’re interested in learning more about French military history, the French Revolution, prominent French figures throughout history or Anglo-French relations, this article can enlighten you! AnnieFrench Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarolineFrench Teacher 5.00 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriFrench Teacher 5.00 (9) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarianneFrench Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ThibautFrench Teacher 5.00 (3) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickFrench Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DéborahFrench Teacher 5.00 (10) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamyFrench Teacher 5.00 (2) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsImportant Moments in French HistoryEvery country has its key moments that define its history â€" and France is no exception.Whether it be child monarchs or era-defining wars, the country we know as France today is the result of centuries of fascinating history.Here are just a few of some of the most important events in French history: ·                 Signing of the Treaty of VerdunThe Treaty of Verdun was the document signed in the year 843 AD which laid the foundations for today’s European country borders by dividing the Carolingian Empire into three territories.The Carolingian Empire, which stretched across much of Western Europe, was established and ruled over by Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne from 800 AD until his death in 814 AD. He was succeeded by his eldest legitimate son, Louis the Pious.Emperor Louis the Pious meticulously planned his sons’ inheritance of the empire, however, dis agreements between Louis’ sons and their half-brother about the allocations and war broke out.In the end, the kingdom was separated into East Francia, Central Francia and West Francia, which later became the Kingdom of France. ·                 Louis XIV Centralises Power in FranceAugust of 1661 saw King Louis XIV shockingly proclaim himself as absolute ruler of the French monarchy following the death of his chief minister, Cardinal Mazarin.Louis XIV centralised power in France by holding his court at the Palace of Versailles (which was also his home) as well as the place where the French parliament was held. In addition to the Palace’s use as a place of politics and the centre of royal life, it was also used as a party venue for King Louis to host guests.The Palace of Versailles was transformed to be the centre of Louis XIV's court ¦ source: Pixabay - denisflorentHolding such a variety of events in one place meant that The Sun King (as he came to be known) was able to unite ro yal and political life while keeping the unruly nobles in check. ·                 The French RevolutionThe French revolution is responsible for many of the characteristics of modern-day France.The revolution began with the storming of the Bastille in 1789 by members of the Third Estate (the name for commoners at that time). The Bastille was targeted because of what it represented: the monarchy and its power.The anger towards the monarchy and King Louis XVI, in particular, came from the unfair taxation of the Third Estate whilst the nobility and clergy were exempt. At a time of economic downturn, the Third Estate saw fit to take matters into their own hands and formed the National Assembly.The National Assembly declared itself sovereign of France, meaning that it has control over the government and even the King.Maximilien Robespierre became the leader of the National Assembly and decided that anyone who was opposed to the revolution was guilty of treason and should be sentenced to death by guillotine.Among the fatalities of the revolution were King Louis XVI and his wife Marie-Antoinette. ·                 World War II and Vichy FranceThe Second World War was a tumultuous time for Europe â€" and France was caught in the crossfire.In 1940, an armistice was signed by France and Germany which divided France in two. The Northern and Western regions of France were to be occupied by German forces, while the remaining area was known as the Free Zone.Since Paris, the capital of the country, was occupied, the French State had to find another centre for political life in the unoccupied Free Zone. They chose the town of Vichy.Marshal Phillippe Pétain was declared leader of Vichy France, and he went on to establish a regime based on conservative and authoritarian standards similar to those of Nazi Germany.This led to a dismantling of the progressive movements of Paris and even the national motto of France, Liberté, égalité, fraternité (liberty, equality fraternity), replacing it instead with Travail, famille, patrie (work, family, homeland).Eventually, Marshal Pétain agreed to collaborate with Germany. However, this was met with a strong resistance movement.The Vichy regime came to an end with the liberation of France by the Allies in 1944.The French RevolutionLet’s have a look at the French revolution in more detail.How did it begin? And how has it left its mark on France?As we know, the French Revolution of 1789 came about because of the dissatisfaction of the people with the distribution of wealth and power in France.In terms of standard of living and physical health, the 1700s were a significantly more comfortable period for French citizens of all backgrounds than previously. The result of this was a growth in population and economic prosperity. However, this success was somewhat short-lived as France entered a period of instability towards the end of the century.Debts from the numerous wars of the 18th century put the rulers of France in a difficult position.In a bid to put his country’s financial issues to bed, King Louis XVI sought the help of a team of advisors. Unfortunately for King Louis, their advice that a reformation of the tax system was needed was not what he wanted to hear.'Liberté, égalité, fraternité' has been the motto of the republic since the revolution ¦ source: Pixabay - falcoAfter subsequently giving his advisors the boot, King Louis appointed Charles de Calonne, who attempted to tax the aristocracy for the first time. Unsurprisingly, the nobility was less than thrilled at this prospect and refused to comply with Calonne’s demands, driving France towards an inevitable financial crisis.An unsettled aristocracy, a bitter bourgeoisie and the fed-up peasants in a country on the brink of bankruptcy made for an ideal climate for revolution.In 1789, King Louis XVI made a final bid for resolution of France’s financial issues by bringing together the Estates-General. The Estates-General was an assembly in which all of the three sectors of the French population were represented.Unfortunately for King Louis, this meeting at Versailles did not go as planned, and a disagreement on the way in which a final decision would be reached ended in the departure of the Third Estate (who represented the commoners) from the Estates-General. Following this, the Third Estate formed the National Assembly and declared themselves sovereign rulers of the country.As the National Assembly grew in popularity, they also grew in power, and so the appetite for revolution also increased significantly.Members of the National Assembly took the Tennis Court Oath in June of 1789, when they swore that they would not disassemble until an agreement for the new constitution for France has been reached.Revolution was in the air and the people of France had united for a common cause. This was not good news for King Louis, who began gathering troops to defend his regime whilst yielding to some of the pressu res of the National Assembly.The public outrage at the monarchy and those favoured by it led to riots and acts of vandalism across the country. The most notable of these was the storming of the Bastille, a Parisian fortress which represented the power of the monarchy in France which was attacked by members of the Third Estate who sought to commandeer the arms held within the prison. Further afield in the countryside, peasants attacked their landlords’ residences and freed themselves from their unfair contracts.Eventually, the debt owed by the country was paid off by the nationalisation of the land owned by the Church. This gave many commoners and farmers the opportunity to buy land and own their own properties.As the country’s financial issues took a back seat, the problems caused by them developed.There was now a divide in the National Assembly â€" should the monarchy stay or go?From this rift emerged two main groups in the National Assembly: the Girondins (in favour of keeping the monarchy) and the Jacobins (pro-abolition).Following more civil unrest and nationalistic wars with neighbouring countries, the National Assembly was replaced by the National Convention, who declared France to be a republic after abolishing the monarchy.The National Convention sentenced Louis XVI to death by guillotine in January 1793, and his wife, Marie-Antoinette, was executed in October of the same year.However, the execution of the royal family did not mark the end of the revolution.The leader of the Jacobins, Maximilien Robespierre, sentenced over 15,000 people to the same fate of King Louis and his wife in fear of a counter-revolution. This was known as the Reign of Terror.Once the French economy has become more stable and the threat of attack had disappeared, Robespierre himself was executed since the continuation of his killing spree was no longer justifiable.The French Revolution came to an end with Napoleon Bonaparte’s defeat of the newest attempt to rule France and his self-declaration as ruler of the new republic. AnnieFrench Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarolineFrench Teacher 5.00 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriFrench Teacher 5.00 (9) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarianneFrench Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ThibautFrench Teacher 5.00 (3) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickFrench Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DéborahFrench Teacher 5.00 (10) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamyFrench Teacher 5.00 (2) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsImportant Figures Throughout French HistoryFrance has its fair share of famous people â€" so what are the stories behind the famous names? ·                 Joan of Arc (1412-1431)Joan of Arc was born in 1412, during the Hundred Years War, which she later brought to an end at just 18 years of age when she led to French army to victory. This war, which was being fought between England and France, had started over which country had the heir to the French throne.Joan of Arc is perhaps most famous for her piety, which led her to her victory as well as to her death.Joan claimed to see St Michael and St Catherine in a series of visions when she was told that she was to be the saviour of her country. Her first mission from the divine was to seek an audience with the heir to the French throne, Charles, in which she would discuss the expulsion of the English which would result in Charles’ taking of the throne as King.Joan of Arc was made a saint by the Catholic Church in 1920 ¦ source: Pixabay - rsteve254Following a series of battles led by Joan alongside Charles, France regained power over land seized by the English, and in July 1429, Charles was crowned Charles VII.However, this was not the end of the conflict, and when Joan of Arc was taken hostage by the English-supporting Burgundians, who then sold her to the English.Still unconvinced of the truth in Joan’s religious experiences, Charles VII made no attempt to free her, and Joan of Arc was taken to court where she was charged with heresy and witchcraftâ€" offences for which she was later burnt at the stake at age 19. ·                 Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)While the French Revolution was in full swing, a young Napoleon Bonaparte was swiftly rising through the ranks of the French military and eventually declared himself emperor of France in 1804, following his victory in a coup d’état five years earlier.Napoleon is most famous for his goal to expand the French empire and the wars he fought against various European countries in an attempt to achieve this.During these wars, known as the Napoleonic wars, Napoleon experienced victory as well as defeat in battle. The most famous of these battles is the Battle of Waterloo, in which Napoleon was defeated by the combined force of the British and Prussian military â€" a defeat which forced him to let go of the French crown.Following his defeat at Waterloo and his abdication, Napoleon was exiled to St Helena, a British territory where he later died. ·                 Marie Curie (1867-1934)Originally from Poland, Marie Curie was a naturalised French citizen whose feats in the world of science, specifically in the study of radioactive substances, made her one of the most famous French women in history.Along with her husband Pierre, Marie Curie is credited with the discovery of radioactivity itself, as well as the discovery of the elements polonium and radium.Her research and discoveries in radioactivity, a term coined by Curie herself, led Marie Curie to not only be the first female winner of the Nobel Prize, but also to be the first person to be awarded the prize twice.However, Curie’s work in physics and chemistry didn’t stop with this prestigious recognition.When the Great War broke out in 1914, Marie Curie worked to promote the use of portable X-Ra y machines at the site of conflict so that injured soldiers could get the treatment they needed as quickly as possible.Curie’s life is believed to have been shortened by her prolonged exposure to radioactive substances during her years of research. She died at the age of 66 from aplastic anaemia.Famous French Military Victories and DefeatsFrance’s position in the middle of Europe has meant that it has been the site of many European conflicts. Not only this, but the French also have a reputation for starting conflicts of their own.Whichever war  you study, the French seem to play a major role, and there are several battles which always crop up when talking about military history â€" so, what was France’s role in these battles? And what led to their victory or defeat?Here are some of the most famous French conflicts. ·                 Battle of Hastings1066 is a very famous date for Brits, as it marks the year in which England was invaded and its crown taken from King Harold by William of Normandy.It seemed that William’s attack could not have come at a worse time for King Harold, who had just returned from another battle in which he had successfully defended his crown against Harald Hardrada of Norway.Once the battle had commenced, the English troops reportedly stood their ground while William’s army attacked. The tactic of King Harold’s troops eventually deterred the Normans, and upon hearing that their leader, William, had been killed, the Norman army began to flee.In a shocking act of bravery and protest, William of Normandy rode in front of his troops and removed his helmet, declaring the rumours to be untrue and that he would conquer.The Norman troops, with their new-found confidence, successfully attacked the English for a second and third time.Following the death of King Harold and a number of high-ranking military officers, the English army fled, and William of Normandy became William the Conqueror. ·                 Battle of AgincourtThe B attle of Agincourt was fought in the North of France between the English and the French in 1415, during the 100 Years War. It resulted in the defeat of the French.The victory of the English and Welsh troops was a particularly significant one, given the fact that the French had more men on their side.The Battle of Agincourt is famous for the use of the English longbow ¦ source: Pixabay - PollyDotThe English and Welsh troops were led by King Henry V, who claimed to be the heir to the French throne. On the other side, the French troops were led by Charles d’Albret, the Constable of France at the time. ·                 Second Battle of YpresThe Second Battle of Ypres, which took place in the midst of the First World War, in 1915, was fought between the Allies (which included countries of the British Empire, France and Belgium) and Germany. The battle resulted in an allied victory, of which France was a part.The Second Battle of Ypres lasted for nearly a month and was made up of a se ries of smaller battles.Located close to the Belgian-French border, the Flemish town of Ypres was a sought-after strategic asset, and control over it was the reason why battle broke out.The attack tactics used in this battle by the German Troops are what makes it so famous. The Second Battle of Ypres was the first battle in which toxic gas was used as a weapon.Chlorine gas was selected by Germany for its high toxicity which caused many men to lose their lives at Ypres when they inhaled it. The gas was released from cylinders which had been placed along the border of an area held by French troops. Those who were not killed by the gas immediately fled the scene in panic.Remarkably, this gas did not secure a victory for Germany, and the defence of the territory by Anglo-Canadian troops meant that the allies triumphed.Britain vs France: A Love-Hate RelationshipWhen you live on the British Isles, it’s not uncommon to hear jokes about the French and their frogs-legs, baguettes and tende ncy to strike â€" but are there any good reasons for the opinion of the French held by Brits?By looking at the two countries’ military history alone, it’s plain to see that Britain and France have has their fair share of conflicts in the past, however, their working together as allies in recent history, as well as their shared interests of imperialism makes for a complex relationship between the two nations.Signs of disagreements-gone-by can still be seen in the political discourse of today between the UK and France, with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, insisting that the UK must pay for a post-Brexit deal. In the wake of Brexit, the French opinion of the Brits seems to carry more weight than previously.To learn more about the language spoken in France, look out for 'french classes london' on the Internet!