Enough is ENOUGH!

Considered as a cradle of civilization the Middle East has been a place of constant change. This year marked by colossal social unrest, the region has dominated the news headlines throughout the world (where news are not censored).
Humanity is at the harbingers of a new era of hope; where true democratic values based on our human rights will not be taken for granted by tyrant states, embezzling corporations, corrupt entities or criminals of all stirps.
People across the Middle East have stopped to be silent, history is unfolding before our eyes and we are hearing the same message across their land very loud and clear – Enough is enough!
Proud and at the center stage are the courageous people of these ancient lands that once again will lead humanity to a genuine rebirth of our civilization and add true meaning to our universal human rights.
To mark this awakening I have selected two videos about our human rights.  The third one shows a chronological map of the evolution of the Middle East since the onset of civilization.

Imperial History of the Middle East
Who has controlled the Middle East over the course of history? Pretty much everyone. Egyptians, Turks, Jews, Romans, Arabs, Persians, Europeans...the list goes on. Who will control the Middle East today? That is a much bigger question.

How to Give an Effective Business Presentation

This week you will learn how to make effective Business Presentations and to create a powerful business case. 
The video is a courtesy of Howcast as featured in YouTube, and the slideshow presentation at the bottom from DocStoc.  We recommend both sites to all our Business English students.
Note to our students: you will find the text of the video beneath the video frame; please read the text a few times and then watch the video for better retention. - Cheers and happy learning!



Text:

Keep your palms dry and your audience alert with these tips.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Visuals

Handouts

Practice

And a strong closing statement

Red visuals (optional) (optional)

And tongue twisters

Step 1: Focus

As you prepare, focus on your main points, and illustrate each one with a visual aid, which can be anything from PowerPoint slides to a flip chart to sample products. Studies show that people's minds begin to wander after 10 minutes of passive listening.

Step 2: Clean up your visuals

Go for a minimalist look in your visuals; educational psychologists have found that the fewer words and pictures you have on a visual, the more your audience will remember.

Tip: Use the color red; psychologists say it's the color most quickly noticed and easily remembered.

Step 3: Use handouts

Prepare handouts that list all your main points. This will make it easier for the audience to follow along, and people will pay better attention if they don't feel pressure to take notes.

Step 4: Practice

Practice your speech as much as you can -- in the mirror, with a friend or coworker, or in front of a video camera.

Step 5: Check your surroundings

Before your presentation, familiarize yourself with the room you'll be using. Make sure you have all the equipment you need, that it works properly, and that you know how to use it.

Step 6: Visualize success

Imagine your presentation going well. Research shows that visualizing success can help you make it happen.

Tip: Do some tongue twisters before you take the stage; it's a favorite trick of speech-givers to loosen up.

Step 7: Position yourself correctly

Stand to the left of the screen or your flip chart from the viewpoint of the audience, making it easier for them to see the material.

Tip: Take a step toward the audience when you want to emphasize something; it unconsciously signals them to pay special attention.

Step 8: Have a strong close

Save your most memorable lines for your close, because that is what your audience will remember most when the presentation is over.

Preparing and Presenting an Effective Business Case.

Preparing and Presenting an Effective Business Case Presentation ... -

Welcome Georgina Hudson

English mindset is joyous to announce that Georgina Hudson has joined our instructor’s team.  She has specialized in adult education and believes that teachers should lead by their example.  She has a passion for helping students achieve their learning objectives and believes that radiating happiness is the most effective way to deliver; a trait that comes built in her professional demeanor.  We are certain that Ms. Hudson will make significant contributions to English Mindset.   Like us, she is also the type that makes every minute count because our accomplishments are based on our shared belief that success is happening right now!

Bio:   Born and raised in Argentina within an Anglo-Argentine family, she got her College Degree in Teaching English at the Profesorado Nacional de Rosario in 1997. She’s specialized in teaching adults ever since. She has worked in Argentina, France and England. She taught Franco-African children in Paris with no knowledge of the Spanish or English language encouraging everyone to speak in the target language at all times. This proved how effective teaching methods can be even when there has been no contact with the new language. While living in London, she got her Certificate in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language and upon getting her certificate, she became an International House teacher, one of the most respectable language schools worldwide with a strong global presence and a high reputation for innovative and quality teaching. Convinced that teachers should be excellent communicators who inculcate happiness and a passion for learning through creative and innovative activities, she embarked on the completion of her Neurolinguistic Programming PractitionerCertificate at Instituto Argentino de Formación e Investigación last year. She runs a consulting firm which specialises in “in-company teaching and learning” implementing the academic program, managing the teaching team, displaying a flexible bespoke teaching approach, handling testing and liasing with training departments. Among her publications are “Teaching English at University level: How to Make it a Memorable Experience when Reading Comprehension and Grammar Instruction Prevail” Humanising Language Teaching Magazine, UK, Jan / Feb 2011 issue, ISSN 1755-9715 and her teaching blogs at the BBC & British Council.  These articles have been frequently chosen and recommended by the editor. Her main areas of professional interest are how adults learn and developing hands-on curriculum that reaches every student learning style and ability. Georgina is fond of modern dance lessons, yoga and drama classes.

 Trafalgar Square: photo remix permitted. original by Alex Dawson - (Creative Commons)