Sucesso nos exames - New book by Jack Scholes

Check out the latest book written by Jack Scholes: Sucesso nos Exames.

http://migre.me/a00KG

Prático e divertido, Sucesso nos Exames foi elaborado para você que vai prestar um exame. Qualquer exame: pode ser o concurso público de seus sonhos, a esperada carteira de motorista, o vestibular, o Enem... Entre outros, o livro abrange os seguintes tópicos: Aprenda sobre seus estilos de aprendizagem, Organize seu tempo para revisão, Crie e mantenha a motivação, Perguntas para fazer você pensar sobre suas principais Inteligências Múltiplas e Testes de Leitura.
R$ 39,90

700 posts!

Hello, readers!
This is the 700th post! Thank you for following me since January 2009!
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13 Habits That May Be Sabotaging Your Career

Sent by Helene Schmidt
Source: http://www.onlinecollege.org/2012/07/18/13-habits-that-may-be-sabotaging-your-career

Everyone has bad habits. Smoking, driving too fast, overeating, giving in to stress; no matter what the habit is, we all know that we need to break them, if only we could find the motivation. How’s this for motivation? Some of your bad habits may actually be sabotaging your career. Whether it’s office gossip or playing around on Facebook, it’s time to kick these bad habits to the curb. Read on, and discover which bad work habits may be getting in the way of your next promotion.

1. GOSSIP:

   
   If you answer “How was your day?” questions with gossip or complaints about your co-workers or clients, it’s a bad sign. Gossip isn’t productive for work, and it can really make you look like a negative person.

2. BLAMING OTHERS:

   
   Before you point out why someone else is making your life so difficult, take the time to consider what you might have done better. Chances are, it’s not all their fault, or any at all. Remember that you can’t control what others do, only how you deal with those actions. Step up to the plate and be more proactive and responsible for your own work life.

3. BLOWING OFF DEADLINES:

   
   It’s tempting to turn things in “just a little late,” but doing so is career sabotage. Your boss and colleagues learn that they can’t count on you, and it’s frustrating for others that are waiting on you. Show that you respect their time by meeting deadlines regularly and communicating clearly and early on the rare occasions when you can’t.

4. PROCRASTINATION:

   
   This one goes hand in hand with blowing off deadlines. Push things to the side too often, and of course, you’ll be late. But not only that, you’ll look bad. No one is impressed by your big show of getting it all done at the last minute. They’d be much more impressed if you carefully planned your time and productivity to get things done on time or even early.

5. NEVER LETTING GO OF WORK:

   
   You might assume that working 24/7 will help you get ahead, but so often, the opposite is true. It’s important to unchain from work, taking regular breaks to become more productive. You’ll be able to come back with a fresh outlook and do a better job.

6. ZONING OUT ONLINE:

   
   Sure, just about everyone has Facebook, but that doesn’t mean you have to connect at work. Kill the bad habit of checking your favorite sites before settling in for work. You’re wasting precious time, and if your coworkers see what you’re doing, you’re putting off a bad impression. Avoid getting sidetracked; just focus on work during work time.

7. POOR COMMUNICATION:

   
   Your coworkers like to be informed, not left in the dark. You don’t need to inundate them with email updates, but be sure that if they’re waiting on you for something, they know what the status is. Forget to do this, and you’ll come off as disorganized and undependable.

8. POOR HEALTH AND HYGIENE:

   
   A sloppy appearance can really affect you at work. Dressing poorly or not keeping up with your hygiene sends a message that you don’t take your job seriously. Take a look around and see what your coworkers are wearing. Maintain a level of dress that matches or exceed what everyone else is doing so that you can put off a professional appearance.

9. KEEPING A LOW PROFILE:

   
   Whether you’re shy or busy, or just can’t be bothered, keeping a low profile is just not a good idea. Being an unknown in your organization gets you nowhere, where making connections and allowing your work to be recognized can open you up to opportunities. Get out from behind your desk, interacting with others, volunteering for new projects, and spending more time being visible at work.

10. NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY:

    
    No one likes a prima donna at work. Workers who refuse to step out of their job description or keep iron-clad hours even in the busiest of seasons don’t win any favor. Sure, it’s important to keep yourself from being overwhelmed, but you’ve got to be a team player, too. Be careful not to let anyone hear you say, “That’s not in my job description.” Instead, be willing to pitch in when needed.

11. POOR EMAIL ETIQUETTE:

    
    Email is so prevalent these days, most people send messages without a second thought. But if you’re not proofreading, you’re really doing yourself a disservice. Stick to professional email etiquette, take your time to make sure your message is correct (and being sent to the right recipients), and project a professional email image.

12. LATENESS:

    
    Punctuality is key to professionalism. No one likes a late worker, and if you’re late to meetings, it’s really rude. Being late projects a message that you think your time is more valuable than others’ (it’s not). Lateness makes you look like an unreliable, inconsiderate person. Plan ahead, and do your best to be punctual on a regular basis. If you know you’re not going to make it on time, be sure to let others know, and apologize when you get there.

13. RESISTING CHANGE:

    
    Work for a company long enough, and things are bound to change. Sure, you may be set in your ways, but if you resist progress at work, you just might get left behind. Whining about new processes, technology, and developments makes you sound like a curmudgeon. Be a team player and get on board with progress at work.

25 Books To Sharpen Your Social Skills (and Transform Your Career)

Sent by Tim Handorf
Source: http://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/2012/07/16/25-books-to-sharpen-your-social-skills-and-transform-your-career


Humans are strange creatures. Luckily, since you are one, you already have all the tools you need for getting along with them. Even though they come so naturally to some people, no one is born with the skills for fitting into society; these skills are learned over time. It’s never too late to improve your ability to meet people, make friends, and communicate. These 25 books can help you take your social skills to the next level and earn you huge payoffs in both your personal and professional lives.

1. PeopleSmart: Developing Your Interpersonal Intelligence by Mel Silberman:

   
   In an easy-to-read style, Silberman lays out practical techniques for developing your “IQ”: your interpersonal quotient. His eight ways to be more effective in your relationships have the backing of scholarly research, just what you’d expect of a Ph.D.

2. How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships by Leil Lowndes:

   It’s not a full 100, but 92 hacks for facilitating dialogue between any other human on the planet ain’t half bad. Smash through the ice of any first meeting, and find common ground with people you’ve never met.

3. Conversationally Speaking : Tested New Ways to Increase Your Personal and Social Effectiveness by Alan Garner:

   After 15 years since its first print run, the tools in this book can’t really be called “new” anymore. But a million or so readers can attest to the effectiveness of Garner’s recommendations for handling criticism, listening, and reducing anxiety in social scenarios.

4. Talk to Strangers: How Everyday, Random Encounters Can Expand Your Business, Career, Income, and Life by David Topus:

   If you continue to follow the childhood dictum to never talk to strangers, you may be passing up connections that could change your life. David Topus can help ensure your random encounters don’t result in a restraining order.

5. People Skills: How to Assert Yourself, Listen to Others, and Resolve Conflicts by Robert Bolton:

   
   One of the most widely recommended social skills books, People Skills is packed with insightful tips for improving your communication, from using silence to asserting yourself to have your needs met.

6. Get Off The Bench: Unleashing The Power of Strategic Networking Through Relationships by Sidney E. Fuchs:

   The importance of networking in career success can’t be emphasized enough, especially in a tough economy. Fuchs shows you how to get into the game and what to avoid with practical advice and real-world examples.

7. Emily Post’s Etiquette by Peggy Post, Anna Post, Lizzie Post, and Daniel Post Senning:

   The descendants of the famous etiquette author bring her legendary wisdom of social etiquette to bear on topics like unfriending people on Facebook and covering up tattoos for job interviews. It’s a fitting tribute to an etiquette icon for a digital generation.

8. How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing with People by Leslie T. Giblin:

   Giblin presents the world as it is and shows you how to get what you want without waiting for other people to change. Usually this is win-win anyway, like creating a good impression on others or making the other person feel friendly.

9. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler:

   Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to talk to anyone about anything? Instead of avoiding big conversations, you’ll learn how to prepare for them in six minutes and turn them into opportunities for getting ahead in life, after you read this book.

10. The Charisma Myth: How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism by Olivia Fox Cabane:

    
    This book blows the lid off the longstanding belief that some people just have that it, and there’s nothing someone can do to get it other than be born with it. Cabane shows readers how to learn charisma and how to wield it responsibly.

11. How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie:

    We put it as low as we reasonably could, but no list about social skills would be complete without this title. Dale Carnegie’s iconic book recently celebrated its 75th anniversary; we challenge you to find another self-help book that’s stood the test of time so well.

12. Click: Ten Truths for Building Extraordinary Relationships by George Fraser:

    Networking is important for business, but connecting is taking relationships to the next level. Fraser shows you how to do just that with his 10 tips, like being the first one to trust, being open to everything, and communicating from the heart.

13. Golf Rules & Etiquette Crystal Clear by Yves C. Ton-That:

    It may be a cliche to think of major deals being made on the golf course, but it got that way because deals really are made that way all the time. This book will help you navigate the country club with grace.

14. Understanding Other People: The Five Secrets to Human Behavior by Beverly Flaxington:

    Flaxington wrote this book after teaching a graduate course called “Dealing with Difficult People.” Think of this book as just “Dealing with People,” as grasping her five secrets will help you deal with everybody, difficult or not.

15. Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions by Guy Kawasaki:

    
    Former Apple evangelist, venture capitalist, and blogger Kawasaki penned this great book on effecting a change for the better in the people you encounter. If you agree people are enchanted with Apple products, it would be a good idea to take his advice to heart.

16. Games People Play: The Basic Handbook of Transactional Analysis by Eric Berne:

    Nearly 50 years ago, Eric Berne pulled the mask off all the little games we all play in our social interactions, and still the game goes on. You’ll fare much better if you read this book and know what exactly it is you’re playing.

17. The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything by Stephen M.R. Covey:

    If self-help books turn you off with advice that makes you feel like a phony, this is the book for you. Covey lays out the ways to build real trust in your relationships, whether they’re business, friendship, or love.

18. The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t by Robert I. Sutton:

    It’s not often you see “asshole” and “civilized” in the same sentence. Hopefully you don’t have any jerks at your work, but if you do (or you are one), Sutton’s got the tools to help you survive them (or stop being one).

19. It’s Not All About “Me”: The Top Ten Techniques for Building Quick Rapport with Anyone by Robin Dreeke:

    Dreeke writes from 15 years of experience with the FBI, where he worked as lead trainer for social engineering and interpersonal skills. In other words, he knows people, and he’ll teach you how to communicate with anyone, quickly and with little “filler.”

20. Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath:

    
    Although not strictly a social skills help book, Switch is recommended by many readers to help smooth your transition into a more sociable person, especially if the idea of trying to be more outgoing causes you stress.

21. Dealing with People You Can’t Stand: How to Bring Out the Best in People at Their Worst by Dr. Rick Brinkman and Dr. Rick Kirschner:

    This bestseller has been updated to incorporate the new class of people no one can stand, who were birthed by the digital age. The Doctors Rick are here to arm you with the communication skills to not be defeated by whiners, close-talkers, or pedants.

22. Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition; Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman:

    Probably you’ve noticed by now that smarts don’t make the world go round. The people who find true success know how to create and foster healthy relationships, at work and in their private lives, and you can too with the Daniel Goleman’s help.

23. Small Talk Big Results: Chit Chat Your Way to Success! by Diane Windingland:

    Small talk is often boring, unauthentic, cheesy, and repetitive. It’s also an unavoidable part of living in a society, so you might as well get good at it.

24. The Introvert’s Guide to Success in Business and Leadership by Lisa Petrilli:

    We didn’t forget you, introverts. While some self-help books for shy people are simply collections of quotes from extroverts saying why it’s great to be outgoing, Petrilli celebrates quiet people. The book has great advice for enhancing your social prowess while staying an introvert at heart.

25. Personality Plus: How to Understand Others by Understanding Yourself by Florence Littauer:

    
    Littauer is well-known in marriage counseling circles for her books and writings, but she is more generally an expert on personalities. This best-seller can help you understand your own personality type, as well as give you an idea of the other types and how best to deal with them.

10 places to travel for a higher cause Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/travel-tips-and-articles/76631?intaffil=lpemail#ixzz21NLBixg1

Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/travel-tips-and-articles/76631?intaffil=lpemail#ixzz1ssEIF0UW


Andrew Bain
Lonely Planet Author

1. Source of the Ganges (India)

The River Ganges is Hinduism’s holiest river, beginning in the Himalayan peaks of Uttar Pradesh and spilling out into the Bay of Bengal more than 2000km later. For Hindus, the source of the Ganges is a holy of holies, and many thousands make the pilgrimage to its source near Gangotri. To join them requires a trek of 24km from Gangotri, threading through Himalayan valleys to Gaumukh, where you’ll find the trickle of water that will flow on to become one of Asia’s major rivers. Pilgrims perform darshans (offerings) as near as possible to the point where water flows from the ice wall beneath the terminal moraine.

2. Mt Kailash (Tibet)

As the source of several of Asia’s mightiest rivers, including the Ganges, Karnali and Indus, it’s little surprise that peak of Mt Kailash in Tibet is revered in a number of religions. To circuit holy Kailash is a pilgrimage for Buddhists, Hindus, Bonpos, Jains and, more recently, trekkers. The most ardent pilgrims walk the 52km circuit in a day, while the truly pious prostrate themselves around the mountain, lying down with arms outstretched, then standing and lying down again at the point that their hands reached. The journey to Kailash is itself an epic worthy of being called a pilgrimage, so allow time for this remarkable trek.

3. Camino de Santiago (Spain)

One of the great Christian pilgrimages is to the tomb of the apostle St James in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. It’s a journey of such spiritual note that it has been named Europe’s Premier Cultural Itinerary and is also listed on the Unesco World Heritage register. The Camino begins in Roncesvalles, on the French border, and covers 783km to the Atlantic coast. Cycling and horseback are considered appropriate forms of pilgrim transport, but most people walk the route, wandering between an extensive system of albergues, spending around one month as a modern pilgrim.

4. Međugorje (Bosnia and Hercegovina)

On 28 June 1981 six youths in the Bosnian mountain village of Međugorje claimed to have seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Instantly, a place of pilgrimage was born, complete with bus tours and an unholy number of souvenir stands. The Virgin is said to still appear at Međugorje, bringing messages to the world, delivering them through the original six ‘visionaries’ – three of them see the apparition daily. For a Međugorje vision of your own, begin in the famed bridge town of Mostar; Međugorje is about 30 mountainous kilometres away.

5. Golden Temple (India)

Image by Arian Zwegers

Resting against the India–Pakistan border, the city of Amritsar has a golden heart, with the Golden Temple, the holiest site in Sikhism, dominating the city. Glowing in the hot Punjabi sun, the temple is as golden as its name suggests, and sits in the middle of the holy Amrit Sarovar pool, which lends its name to the city. Pilgrims bathe in the pool, and amble clockwise around its marble edges, while the temple kitchen by the eastern entrance spoons out free meals to pilgrims and tourists alike. Visitors are welcome to join the faithful in and around the temple.

6. Shashemene (Ethiopia)

With Rastafarianism founded on the belief that Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie is an African Messiah, it’s unsurprising that a Rasta community has taken root in Ethiopia. Around 240km from Addis Ababa, Selassie himself granted land in the town of Shashemene to Jamaican Rastafarians in the 1960s. It was first settled by 12 Jamaicans but the community has now grown to number hundreds. In the late 1970s the most famous Rasta of all, Bob Marley, visited Shashemene, and in recent years his widow has talked of relocating his remains here, which would indeed turn this southern town into a site of rock and Rasta pilgrimage.

7. Mt Athos (Greece)

Known as the Holy Mountain, Mt Athos is a self-governing community of 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries sprinkled around the slopes of 2033m-high Mt Athos on Greece’s Chalkidiki Peninsula. A strict entry-permit system applies: 100 Orthodox pilgrims and 10 non-Orthodox visitors are allowed in at a time; only men over 18 years of age can visit; permit applications from non-Orthodox visitors must be made at least six months ahead; and diamonitiria (permits) usually allow stays of just four days. The Holy Mountain is reached by boat, and you then walk between monasteries, each of which contains a guesthouse.

8. Mashhad (Iran)

With a name that translates as The Place of Martyrdom, Mashhad is sacred to Shiites as the place where the 8th imam and direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Reza, died in 817. Each year, more than 15 million Shiite pilgrims visit the city in eastern Iran, which literally radiates out from Astan-e Qods-e Razavi, the site of the Holy Shrine. The busiest pilgrimage times are around the Iranian New Year (March 21) and a dedicated pilgrim season from mid-June to late July. Non-Muslims are not permitted into the Holy Shrine itself, though there are three attached museums that can be visited.

9. 88 Temple Circuit (Japan)

On the Japanese island of Shikoku there are 88 temples, a number equal to the evil human passions as defined by the Buddhist doctrine. If you want to free yourself from every one of these passions in a single hit, you can do so by completing the 88 Temple Circuit. Traditionally the 1500km route was walked, even though there’s a space of more than 100km between a couple of the temples. In modern times, however, it’s become just as acceptable to complete the 88 Temple Circuit by tour bus – who said the gods weren’t modernists? The circuit begins in Tokushima and most pilgrims go clockwise.

10. Adam’s Peak (Sri Lanka)

In the highlands of Sri Lanka there is a mountain that’s all things to all religions. Depending on your spiritual persuasion, the indent on the summit of Adam’s Peak is either the place at which Adam first set foot on earth, or a footprint left by Buddha, Shiva or St Thomas. Small wonder the track to the summit is like an ant trail in the pilgrimage season (December to May). Secular pilgrims will find the view alone worthy of the journey. On a clear day it stretches to the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, 65km away.

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15 Ways Parents Can Promote Entrepreneurship

Sent by Rosa Ray
Source: http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/2012/07/16/15-ways-parents-can-promote-entrepreneurship/

These days, the traditional path of getting a good education and going to work in the corporate world isn't always the best way to find success. Although it's still a great choice, many young people prefer instead to take a path of entrepreneurship, and there's a lot that parents can do to help them follow that path. Lemonade stands, family learning adventures, and smart financial lessons are just a few of the ways that parents can instill an entrepreneurial attitude of success in their children from a very early age. Read on to find out how you can help your child become a great entrepreneur from the very start.

1. Kids earn an allowance for chores, not for existing:

   Instill a good work ethic in your children by requiring that they earn their allowance. Emptying the dishwasher, mowing the lawn, and washing the family dog are all ways that kids can learn how to earn money. Take it a step further by encouraging them to do similar tasks for neighbors as a way to earn additional money.

2. Create a bank account for your child:

   Lay the foundation for earning money by giving it a place to go. When your child earns money, make going to the bank a major event that is it's own reward. Have fun helping your kids do the math and figure out how much they've put away in the bank for all their hard work.

3. Share opportunities for extra earning:

   Teach your children that going above and beyond leads to increased earning. Give them the opportunity to do more difficult chores that go above what they're normally expected to do. Trent at The Simple Dollar suggests that kids can pull weeds, and parents will pay a certain amount for every pound of weeds delivered.

4. Encourage good personal finance skills:

   Kids begging for items at the store might be annoying, but it's a teachable moment. When your child asks for a toy that's out of budget or not really necessary, make it a goal to earn enough money to buy it. Encourage your child to come up with ideas for ways to make enough for the toy and maybe even more.

5. Encourage them to follow their ideas:

   Whether your kids want to start a blog, sell vegetables from your garden, or set up a classic lemonade stand, give them your time and encouragement. Let them learn by doing, and find opportunities for lessons along the way. Ask them to consider how they'll fund their startup, where to get supplies, how much to charge, how to find their customers, and of course, what to do with the money they earn. You should of course set some limitations for time, legality, and safety, but be open to let your kids explore their own ideas. Allow them to fail, and turn failures into learning moments.

6. Teach good teamwork:

   Rarely do entrepreneurs succeed completely independently. Even if they're in business alone, they're networking, getting others interested, and meeting with people that can help get their business off the ground. Learning how to work with others is essential for success, so be sure to encourage group work in school, in your home, and beyond.

7. Encourage team sports:

   Team sports are a great way to teach kids to work with others, and they're also great for learning business lessons. Chances are, they won't win every game, but the setbacks and hard work that are a part of playing sports can teach kids how to work toward success.

8. Be available:

   Every great entrepreneur needs a mentor, and for your kids, you are that person. Although you should encourage your child to operate independently, always be there to answer questions or offer helpful suggestions. If you don't know how to solve a problem, learn how to do it together.

9. Teach your kids to be self-starters:

   Doing what they're told is easy for most kids. Asking them to complete certain chores is simple and straightforward. But if you want them to start thinking creatively, encourage their initiative. Ask them to come up with ideas for chores that need to be done, or encourage them to plan a meal and cook for the family once a week.

10. Encourage adventure and observational skills:

    Some of the best entrepreneurs found success simply by filling a need that no one else even knew existed. The world is full of business opportunities, if only we could notice them. Parents can help their children learn to recognize these types of opportunities by developing observation and creativity. Walk around your neighborhood with your kids and consider which needs are not being met. Do you have neighbors that need lawn care? Businesses that need a website? Teach kids to recognize and anticipate the needs of others.

11. Teach problem-solving:

    Entrepreneurship can be a bumpy road full of obstacles and challenges to overcome, even for the best-laid plans. Show your children that problems are just solutions that have not been solved yet. Give them small challenges to overcome, and nudge them in the right direction to find a solution.

12. Show your own entrepreneurial spirit:

    Kids can learn about entrepreneurship by watching you in your own venture. Even if you're working a 9-to-5 office job, you can take on a small entrepreneurial experience on the side. Selling crafts on Etsy, walking dogs, and doing handyman (or woman) work is a great way to set an example. Be sure to openly share your experiences with your kids.

13. Tell them about great entrepreneurs:

    In addition to setting your own example in entrepreneurship, encourage your kids to learn from the greats. Tell them the stories of young, successful entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerberg, who started Facebook in his dorm room. Give them examples and role models to look up to and be inspired by. Show them that others are making it big as entrepreneurs, even other teens and young adults.

14. Point them in the direction of Junior Achievement:

    Many schools have chapters of Junior Achievement, an organization that brings business owners into schools to teach and mentor students as they create entrepreneurial opportunities. This is a great way for your child to learn about leadership, teamwork, and real world entrepreneurship in a team setting.

15. Play business games:

    Many games exist to teach kids the basics of business. Make learning about entrepreneurship fun by engaging your children in these games. In one such game, Disney's Hot Shot Business, children decide what to do when a comic book company leaves town and leaves the opportunity to utilize resources.

25 Online Tools to Teach Yourself Public Speaking

Sent by Larry Dignan
Source: http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/2012/07/15/25-online-tools-to-teach-yourself-public-speaking/

Public speaking inspires nervousness, cold sweats, and even shaking in many people, ranking among the most common and most pervasive fears people have around the world. Yet there's no real reason that public speaking has to be so unnerving. Some people may be naturally good at speaking in front of groups, but anyone can learn to improve their public speaking skills and gain the confidence needed to successfully deliver a speech or presentation. Even better, you can learn and practice many of the essential public speaking skills on your own, with the help of some really great web tools. We've listed just a few here that can help you to get you started on your path to being a better, less nervous public speaker.

Blogs and Websites

Use these sites to learn some fundamentals of public speaking, find tools to improve, and get great advice.

1. Six Minutes:
   Get some amazing advice on building your speech and presentation skills from Six Minutes. Visitors to the site will find tips on everything from delivery techniques to building the perfect PowerPoint presentation.
2. Speak Schmeak:
   Blogger Lisa Braithewaite is a public speaking coach and through her blog she shares some tips and advice that just about anyone can use to improve their public speaking abilities.
3. Presentation Zen:
   Are presentations the bane of your existence? Take a look at this blog by Garr Reynolds to learn how to design a better, more impactful presentation.
4. Professionally Speaking:
   Here you'll find Ian Griffin, a technology speechwriter, as he offers tips and tools for writing, delivering, and nailing all kinds of speeches.
5. The Accidental Communicator:
   From adding humor to watching your body language, Dr. Jim Anderson explains how to become a better public speaker on this blog.
6. SpeechYou:
   Want some free speech training? Then sign up for this site, which offers you the chance to upload a speech (audio or video) and get reviews from others interested in public speaking.
7. Toastmasters International:
   One of the best ways to improve your public speaking is to join Toastmasters, which you can learn more about through their website here.

Useful Tools

These tools can be an essential part of building your public speaking skills.

8. Prezi:
   You'll feel more confident about public speaking when you have an amazing visual backdrop to go with what you're saying, which you can build through free online presentation tool Prezi.
9. Empressr:
   If Prezi isn't cutting it for you, you can also try Empressr, which makes it simple to embed all kinds of rich media into a presentation, from music to video to photos.
10. Presentation Skills Self-Evaluation:
    This evaluation tool from Psychology Today will help you take a critical look at your public speaking and pinpoint ways in which you can improve.
11. Vocaroo:
    Vocaroo is a basic online voice recording application, perfect for listening to your own speaking skills so you can take notes and improve.
12. Google Docs:
    Constantly worried you'll lose your notes for a presentation en route? With Google Docs, you'll have them anywhere you can get Wi-Fi or a 3G connection.
13. MindMeister:
    MindMeister makes it simple to track your ideas. Brainstorm as you build an amazing mindmap, helping you generate lots of new ideas for a speech.
14. thinklinkr:
    Through thinklinkr, you can develop an outline for a speech or presentation, and share it with others to get helpful feedback and input.
15. Myna:
    Myna is another online voice recorder, but a bit more fully featured than Vocaroo, allowing you to edit or add effects to your recordings.
16. Skype:
    Need an audience for your speech before you stand in front of your real audience? Skype may be one of your best options, allowing you to transmit video and audio to friends, family, and coworkers who can help you build a better speech.
17. Virtual Speech Timer:
    Those who need to fit a speech into a given time slot should check out this online speech timer. It will help you trim down or bulk up your speech to a given time limit.
18. YouTube:
    YouTube is a valuable resource for a number of reasons. It is an excellent place to find educational videos on public speaking, classes, or inspirational speeches. It's also a great place to post your own videos for feedback.

Inspiration

Get inspired by these speakers and learn more about what goes into a good speech or presentation.

19. American Rhetoric:
    Read and hear speeches from some of the greatest speakers the world has ever known when you visit this site and peruse its amazing collection. You're sure to find something that inspires you.
20. TED:
    If you're looking for a more cutting-edge example of a good speech, then try out TED. Through it, you'll get access to an amazing assortment of high-quality talks that are funny, inspiring, informative, or all of the above.
21. Rate Speeches:
    Through Rate Speeches, you can find some great speeches, rate them, or find the tools to evaluate your own.

Education

These resources offer classes, books, and tutorials all about public speaking.

22. 101 YouTube Videos to Teach You the Art of Public Speaking:
    This collection of videos offers numerous ways to fine tune your public speaking skills.
23. Learn Out Loud Public Speaking Books:
    Here you'll find a great assortment of audio books, some free, some not, all related to the art of public speaking.
24. Communication for Managers:
    When you think about it, we're all managing something, so learning communication skills related to management is essential. This course at MIT will help to teach you just that, improving your ability to work with others, mediate, and project confidence.
25. iTunes U:
    There are dozens of classes on iTunes U related to public speaking and communications from leading universities and organizations. It's the perfect place to build skills without shelling out for formal classes.

101 Links to Learn Any Language for Free

Sent by: Helene Schmidt
Source: http://www.onlinecollege.org/2012/07/11/101-links-learn-any-language-free-updated-2012/

They say love is the universal language, but when you’re in a Chinese market trying to haggle over a fake Rolex, love probably won’t help you get the deal done. With all the resources freely available, there’s no reason to not at least brush up on the native language of a country you’ll be visiting or to simply expand your horizons. A few years back we brought you a list of 101 online tools for learning any foreign language on the arm. We thought it was time for a tune-up. Andale!

Courses: Beginner

Put yourself in the hands of experienced educators with these gratis online courses.

1. BBC Greek:
   This option from the BBC is the full package, with videos, games, exercises, and audio to make it all Greek to you.
2. Espacios publicos:
   Very quickly into the 20 hours of introductory Spanish course material, you’ll discover this means “public spaces.”
3. Beginners’ Chinese:
   Mandarin Chinese is presented here in more than six hours of material for people with absolutely no prior experience with the language.
4. French 101:
   Fifteen introductory French video lessons from Carnegie Mellon University are at your disposal, and you can save your work if you create an account.
5. Introduction to Portuguese:
   Start studying now and you’ll be ready for Carnival in February 2013.
6. BBC German:
   With tabs for beginners, school German, vocab, and video tutorials, the BBC has you covered.
7. Learn How to Speak Japanese:
   More than 40 instructional videos are bolstered by instruction in grammar, Japanese history, and the country’s culture.
8. American Sign Language:
   With videos and a lengthy glossary complete with pictures and descriptions, Lifeprint.com gets a thumbs up for learning sign language.
9. Getting Started on Classical Latin:
   In 10 hours you’ll learn how engrained Latin is in English and get a good grip on sentence structure and pronunciation.
10. The Big Welsh Challenge:
    Can you learn Welsh? The BBC brings you all the tools you need with this free course.
11. Elementary Russian:
    Learn Russian by watching the BBC series Goodbye Summer and working through the 70+ exercises.
12. Farsi 1:
    This brief intro to Farsi, or Persian, comes courtesy of Wikiversity and a $0 price tag.
13. Learn English Online:
    For non-native speakers, this is a great intro to the basics of an often-confusing language.
14. BBC Italian:
    Converse with your local pizza shop owner after studying up on this beginner’s course.
15. Learn How to Speak Russian:
    The ELanguageSchool delivers this set of grammar, vocab, and 18 video lessons for learning Russian.
16. Kenyan Sign Language:
    This unique form of communication can be easily picked up, thanks to this free course by the Peace Corps.
17. Chinese I:
    MIT’s much-copied OpenCourseWare is the home of this free course on introductory Chinese, which comes with online texts and multimedia content.
18. Lernu:
    This is a great site for learning the universal language of Esperanto for free.
19. Intermediate German:
    This free courseware from the Open University helps you practice your German by studying its culture and families.
20. Conversa Brasileira:
    Intermediate-level students can watch 35 unscripted conversations between native Portuguese speakers here, with subtitles and pop-up audio commentary.
21. Old Norse for Beginners:
    Learn how to talk like a Viking with this course, plus play rune puzzles and do exercises.

Video Channels

Just watch and learn.

22. Cantocourse:
    Learn Cantonese through skits involving live cattle, public security officers, and “dating tips for plonkers.”
23. OMGmeiyu:
    In these short videos, English idioms and slang are translated into Mandarin by a perky American host.
24. Swahili Lessons:
    Get a short intro to this African language with this collection of videos.
25. Let’s Speak Korean:
    And how shall we speak it? By watching these 60 video tutorials, of course.
26. Latinum:
    The guy behind the informative podcast has made the switch to YouTube. Different channel but same great Latin help.
27. Maori:
    The indigenous people of New Zealand speak Maori, and you can too with the help of this 13-part video series.
28. Yabla French:
    This is an exceptional video-teaching website for French instruction, with captions in multiple languages, integrated dictionaries, and more, in both free and paid iterations.

Podcasts

If you’re an auditory learner, we have good news for you.

29. English as a Second Language:
    This site makes ESL learning even easier by including learning guides with transcripts with every podcast.
30. Arabic in Jordan:
    These lessons from the Peace Corps will teach you Arabic as it’s spoken in Jordan.
31. Chinese Lessons:
    Instructor Serge Melnyk offers 30 audio lessons for beginner Mandarin for free, with the option to pay for more if you choose.
32. GermanPod101:
    Create a free account and edge them toward 200 million free German lessons delivered.
33. Learn Romanian Magazine:
    The archived podcasts on this site are a good resource for conquering the Romanian language.
34. Beginners’ Chinese:
    The Open University brings you 46 audio lessons for building a knowledge of Mandarin Chinese.
35. Learn French by Podcast:
    This highly rated series will have you “Oui oui”-ing in no time.
36. Radio Verda:
    Immerse yourself in the language of Esperanto with international news and talk on this podcast.
37. Learn Italian:
    Get your word of the day, audio lessons, and video tutorials through this helpful podcast.
38. Special Finnish:
    Translate the home page then jump right into the Finnish-speaking podcasts.
39. DutchPod101:
    There are 28 videos to get you well into learning Dutch, and you can head to their website for more instruction after that.
40. Learn Hindi:
    Start from the beginning with the Hindi alphabet via this podcast.
41. Cody’s Cuentos:
    Nursery rhymes worked for teaching you English, now use them to learn basic Spanish with these audio files.
42. Ta Falado:
    From the University of Texas comes this series of podcasts in Portuguese pronunciation and grammar.
43. Hebrew Podcasts:
    Conversational Hebrew is taught with transcripts, translations, exercises, and more with this podcast.
44. One Minute Catalan:
    Check out this podcast for free Catalan instruction. You can spare a minute, can’t you?
45. Le Journal en Francais Facile:
    French news is presented in an accessible way for learners of a wide range of skill.
46. ArabicPod:
    The best Arabic-learning podcast is a member of the “Pod” family and brings you 30 lessons free on iTunes.
47. Russian Literature:
    Improve your Russian listening comprehension by downloading UCLA’s free podcasts of Russian writings.
48. Bambara in Mali:
    The lingua franca in Mali, Bambara is yours to absorb with these podcasts from the Peace Corps.
49. Japancast:
    Tokyo transplant Hitomi teaches you Japanese through anime and everyday conversation examples.

Textbooks

Finally, free textbooks. Take that, campus bookstore!

50. Portuguese:
    There’s content for beginners and intermediate speakers, as well as the Portuguese spoken in both Brazil and Portugal.
51. Scottish Gaelic:
    This Wikibook has Gaelic phrases, sentence structure, pronunciation help, and even a chapter on the sustainability of the language.
52. Albanian:
    Learn “Shqip” with the help of this Albanian textbook.
53. Polish:
    Lessons range from basic grammar to more advanced topics like declension and tenses.
54. An Abbreviated Dictionary of Ch’orti’ Maya:
    Headed to Camotán, Chiquimula? Check out this book on the language of the area Mayans.
55. Russian:
    Russian names and cursive are some of the cool bonuses for this language’s Wikibook.
56. Irish:
    This books gets it done in three lessons, starting with history and ending with vocab.
57. Textkit:
    You should be able to find what you need regarding Greek or Latin education with this site’s 180+ textbooks.
58. Yiddish:
    There are two Wikibooks on Yiddish of varying states of completion, one on Yeshivah Bachurim and one on conversational Yiddish.
59. French:
    The French Wikibook comes with add-ons like news stories, famous excerpts, and national anthems.
60. German:
    This book is under development but can still serve as a handy guide to your German instruction.
61. Abaza Grammar:
    Fewer than 50,000 people in the world speak this language of the Caucasus Mountain region, so you’ll be in an exclusive club if you learn it with the help of this book.
62. Afrikaans:
    Work your way through the South African language with this free textbook.
63. Belorusian:
    Join the 9 million or so people who speak Belorusian by reading up on the language with this textbook.
64. Albanian Basic Course Vol. I:
    The scan could be better quality, but this is the first of 10 volumes for sinking your teeth into the language of Albania.
65. Arabic:
    If you’re interested in this geopolitically important language, learn the pronouns, definite articles, descriptors, and more, here.

Translation

Use them as a supplement to your studies or just type a word in and memorize what comes out.

66. Free-Translator :
    The text box has room for your Twitter character limit and then some for easy translation into scores of languages.
67. Xanadu:
    This site’s made for traveling, with a currency converter and text translation accompanying the glossaries and reference materials for six different languages.
68. Google Translate:
    It’s quick, clean, and efficient for translating dozens of languages to and from English.
69. Freelang:
    Choose from 265 bilingual dictionaries and get your human translation here.
70. Bing Translator:
    Formerly Babbel Fish, this is Microsoft’s text and web translator for the Google haters.

Communities

Harness the power in numbers by connecting with other language learners.

71. Livemocha:
    Through this language site’s community you can have exercises reviewed by other users, practice your conversation, and more.
72. italki:
    Have your questions answered, your writing corrected, and above all, communicate on this global language network.
73. Lingopass:
    Jump into group discussions or start up a one-on-one in a chat room through this site.
74. UniLang:
    “Uniting language lovers,” UniLang’s forums are a great place to practice that new tongue you’ve been learning.
75. My Language Exchange:
    Join the community of more than 1 million users from more than 130 countries and practice a foreign language with a native speaker.
76. Palabea:
    The Facebook of language networking, Palabea lets you upload video and audio, record, translate, and of course, dialogue.
77. Skype Community Language Learning:
    The popular video-calling software has a section for users to ask and answer questions and make connections for conversations.
78. The Mixxer:
    Similar to My Language Exchange, Mixxer is Dickinson College’s platform for language learners to be both teachers and students.
79. My Happy Planet:
    Members can create their own lessons for others or just communicate with them directly on this learning community site.

Tools

These high-tech resources will streamline your language learning experience.

80. Babbel:
    Take the old flash card method digital for learning 11 languages through Babbel, including Swedish and Turkish.
81. Rikai:
    The entire web becomes a Japanese learning tool with this site’s URL filter.
82. Byki:
    Available as a free download or paid upgrade, Byki is a solid bit of language-learning, flash card-based software.
83. Lingro:
    Lingro is a slick tool that works like Rikai except it works with 12 languages, making any word on a web page clickable to see its definition.
84. ProVoc:
    ProVoc ups the ante on flash card learning with features like variable difficulty and the ability to create your own cards.
85. One World Dictionary:
    This program by Ascendo works on Macs to bring you 100,000 translations into Spanish, French, Italian, and German.

Apps

Follow these links for the best language learning on the go.

86. Learn Turkish with Babbel:
    This is the Turkish version of Babbel’s excellent learning software for smartphones, but all the languages the site offers are also available for mobile.
87. Learn German with busuu:
    The popular language site created this free app for vocab words, learning units, and exams on Android phones.
88. Ho-Chunk:
    Get acquainted with this unique Native American language through this iPad app.
89. 50 Languages:
    Yep, you guessed it: the makers of this app want to help you learn 50 languages with this free app.
90. Mindsnacks Learn French:
    Also available for several other languages, this app helps you learn Francais through fun gameplay.
91. Hello-Hello Spanish:
    This highly-rated iPad app helps you practice Spanish pronunciation and vocab based on conversational lessons.
92. TrainBrain:
    Practice words in German, Czech, and more languages to follow with this handy app.
93. Cuebrain!:
    Quiz yourself on nearly two dozen languages with this gameplay-based Android app.
94. myLanguage Free Translator:
    Nearly 60 languages are available for helping you navigate your way through a foreign land.
95. Conjugate Spanish Verbs:
    Take the pain out of verb conjugation, with 17 coverage for 17 tenses.
96. Vocre:
    Using speech recognition technology powered by Nuance, Vocre becomes your take-anywhere translator for enabling conversation.
97. eTeacher Hebrew Lessons:
    Instructor Shira Cohen Regev guides you through the Hebrew alphabet and into basics like days of the week, counting, and beginning vocab.
98. Hiragana Lite:
    This free version features basic Japanese Hiragana characters in simple flash card format.
99. Skype for iPad:
    Dial up another country and strike up a convo from your iPad.
100. Learn English- PhotoFlashcards:
     This amazing app by language leaning company Voxy lets English learners photograph any item and receive an English definition for that item.
101. Pronunciation Checker:
     Check your pronunciation against 6,000 words in five languages.