THURSDAY 16th JULY
Hello again!!
Remember last class we started discussing ARTICLES?
Well, now I´d like you to open your Student´s Booklet on p. 5 where you´ll find some material for an Article on “Language Learning”
I´d like you to read p. 5 to 8 carefully, doing all the exercises except the “Exam Practice” on p. 8
WE´LL DISCUSS THIS NEXT TIME WE MEET AT THE INSTITUTE (after the winter holidays)
If you have any doubts, send me an e-mail and I´ll be glad to answer all your questions.
THE ENDGAME (Part 3)
1. Let´s re-cap. What has happened in the story so far? (Make a very brief summary)
2. Answer the “While reading” questions on p.145 and 146 in your Booklet and send them to me by e-mail for next class (21st July)
PRACTICE TEST #4 –
Today is the deadline to send me all your marks (including the Listening Paper)
EXPERT p. 90 : Language Development 2
I you still haven´t done so, please send me your answers to these exercises.
EXPERT P. 91 : Use of English 2
Here is the key for you to correct yourself.
How many correct answers did you get? Let me know by e-mail next time you send me your homework.
WORD FORMATION A
1. extremely
2. embarrassing
3. fantastically
4. employees
5. unexpected
6. particularly
7. underestimate
8. importance
9. ability
10.similarity
WORD FORMATION B
2. seriously
3. believable
4. unable
5. disappointing
6. impressive
7. performance
8. incredible
9. strength
10. organis(z)ations
That´s all for now,
See you next class,
Daniela
lunes, 13 de julio de 2009
domingo, 12 de julio de 2009
Your Roadmap to Speaking Exam Success-Day 5
Day 5: You're not alone - finding speaking partners online
Welcome to Day 5 of 'Your Roadmap to Speaking Exam Success' where we'll turn our attention to the third goal we listed on Day 1:
Goal 3: Take every opportunity to practise!
If you're looking for speaking partners and are fortunate enough to be studying as part of a class you'll have the opportunity to arrange out-of-class get-togethers with your colleagues.
(Of course, you should also make sure you take every opportunity to speak English in class as well!)
There may be native speakers working or studying in your area who would be willing to help you with your English in return for the chance to practise your language. However, care needs to be taken when meeting up with strangers face-to-face and in any case, work or study schedules may make this option difficult.
Fortunately, new technology offers lots of opportunities to join online communities made up of people looking to practise English with others. Meetings can be arranged at a time that suits you, you can speak from the comfort of your own home and in the process make new friends from all over the world.
Our own Splendid Speaking group on Facebook has hundreds of members looking for speaking partners, many of whom are preparing for exams.
In order to post messages to the group you'll need to join Facebook, and in order to speak online you'll need to set up an account with a service like Skype. Finally, armed with a pair of headphones and microphone you'll be ready to chat!
When looking for contacts there's no need to focus only on people preparing for the same examination as you. Most advanced speaking exams have the same task types but in a different format:
1) There will be a 'getting-to-know-you' part at the beginning, where the examiner will ask you (and your partner if you have one) questions to find out more about you.
2) You'll be asked to make a short presentation or 'long turn' where you'll have to speak for 1 or 2 minutes on your own without interruption.
3) There will be one or two tasks where you'll take part in a discussion and/or role play, either with a partner, with the examiner, or both.
Task
1) If you don't already have an account with an online communication tool such as MSN or Skype, sign up for an account. Visit the 'Guides' page on the Skype website:http://www.skype.com/help/guides
2) Join our group on Facebook and post a welcome message: http://www.splendid-speaking.com/extras/facebook.html
3) Read our tips on successful online communication
4) Take time to read our safety tips about communicating online:http://www.splendid-speaking.com/products/safety.html
Tomorrow
You know the exam and how you'll be assessed, you've set some personal goals and know how to meet up with others to practise speaking. Time to speak … but more about that tomorrow!
Welcome to Day 5 of 'Your Roadmap to Speaking Exam Success' where we'll turn our attention to the third goal we listed on Day 1:
Goal 3: Take every opportunity to practise!
If you're looking for speaking partners and are fortunate enough to be studying as part of a class you'll have the opportunity to arrange out-of-class get-togethers with your colleagues.
(Of course, you should also make sure you take every opportunity to speak English in class as well!)
There may be native speakers working or studying in your area who would be willing to help you with your English in return for the chance to practise your language. However, care needs to be taken when meeting up with strangers face-to-face and in any case, work or study schedules may make this option difficult.
Fortunately, new technology offers lots of opportunities to join online communities made up of people looking to practise English with others. Meetings can be arranged at a time that suits you, you can speak from the comfort of your own home and in the process make new friends from all over the world.
Our own Splendid Speaking group on Facebook has hundreds of members looking for speaking partners, many of whom are preparing for exams.
In order to post messages to the group you'll need to join Facebook, and in order to speak online you'll need to set up an account with a service like Skype. Finally, armed with a pair of headphones and microphone you'll be ready to chat!
When looking for contacts there's no need to focus only on people preparing for the same examination as you. Most advanced speaking exams have the same task types but in a different format:
1) There will be a 'getting-to-know-you' part at the beginning, where the examiner will ask you (and your partner if you have one) questions to find out more about you.
2) You'll be asked to make a short presentation or 'long turn' where you'll have to speak for 1 or 2 minutes on your own without interruption.
3) There will be one or two tasks where you'll take part in a discussion and/or role play, either with a partner, with the examiner, or both.
Task
1) If you don't already have an account with an online communication tool such as MSN or Skype, sign up for an account. Visit the 'Guides' page on the Skype website:http://www.skype.com/help/guides
2) Join our group on Facebook and post a welcome message: http://www.splendid-speaking.com/extras/facebook.html
3) Read our tips on successful online communication
4) Take time to read our safety tips about communicating online:http://www.splendid-speaking.com/products/safety.html
Tomorrow
You know the exam and how you'll be assessed, you've set some personal goals and know how to meet up with others to practise speaking. Time to speak … but more about that tomorrow!
sábado, 11 de julio de 2009
Useful tips for the Writing Paper
Hello!
This is some material I downloaded from the excellent site www.flo-joe.co.uk
Remember it´s a good idea to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!
NEWSLETTER TIP OF THE WEEK
A weekly tip to help you achieve success at FCE.
This week examines the Writing Paper and in particular...
... Checking for errors!
We all have our own particular grammar or vocabulary nightmares!
Some find using tenses difficult, while other students will often forget words like articles (a/the). Sentence structure can be a particular problem when writing, with errors in relative clauses, word order etc. Last but not least, we have spelling mistakes to deal with!
You will, of course, make mistakes because you are still trying to master certain language items. Mistakes are inevitable and you shouldn't get too worked up by them.
However, we often make 'silly'mistakes, that is, errors that we know are wrong but simply haven't noticed them on the paper.
Here's a useful tip for dealing with these kinds of mistakes.
During your studies make a note of the kind of mistakes you regularly make in your writing. Separate these into 'language you don't yet understand' and 'silly mistakes'. The next time you do a piece of work, read it through at the end, checking for those 'silly' errors. This will give you something to focus on and will give you the chance to correct things that you KNOW are wrong.
HINT FROM THE EXAMINER
This week ... a common mistake in the Writing Paper...
Did you know that one of the most common mistakes that is made by candidates in the FCE Writing Paper is to try and 'bend' the question to fit an answer that has already been prepared.
For example, let's imagine that in class you wrote an essay for your teacher on the pros and cons of different types of transport (e.g.buses, trains, cars and bicyles).
Now let's pretend that on the day of your FCE Writing Paper you see a composition on whether cars should be banned from city centres. Your first reaction might be 'How lucky! I've already done that question in class. Let's write down the same information." However, although each question is about transport, they require different answers.
Some candidates even manage to memorise whole essays before the exam. This isn't such a great idea because
a) it is hard to do and
b) you don't learn how to plan your answer before you start writing.
By all means, learn useful phrases and chunks of language (e.g. "This report will deal with...") but remember that the examiner will NOT be impressed if you just repeat a pre-prepared answer!
Well, I hope you find this useful!
Keep checking our blog as often as possible. I´ll be updating it every day.
See you soon!
Daniela (looking forward to your comments...)
This is some material I downloaded from the excellent site www.flo-joe.co.uk
Remember it´s a good idea to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!
NEWSLETTER TIP OF THE WEEK
A weekly tip to help you achieve success at FCE.
This week examines the Writing Paper and in particular...
... Checking for errors!
We all have our own particular grammar or vocabulary nightmares!
Some find using tenses difficult, while other students will often forget words like articles (a/the). Sentence structure can be a particular problem when writing, with errors in relative clauses, word order etc. Last but not least, we have spelling mistakes to deal with!
You will, of course, make mistakes because you are still trying to master certain language items. Mistakes are inevitable and you shouldn't get too worked up by them.
However, we often make 'silly'mistakes, that is, errors that we know are wrong but simply haven't noticed them on the paper.
Here's a useful tip for dealing with these kinds of mistakes.
During your studies make a note of the kind of mistakes you regularly make in your writing. Separate these into 'language you don't yet understand' and 'silly mistakes'. The next time you do a piece of work, read it through at the end, checking for those 'silly' errors. This will give you something to focus on and will give you the chance to correct things that you KNOW are wrong.
HINT FROM THE EXAMINER
This week ... a common mistake in the Writing Paper...
Did you know that one of the most common mistakes that is made by candidates in the FCE Writing Paper is to try and 'bend' the question to fit an answer that has already been prepared.
For example, let's imagine that in class you wrote an essay for your teacher on the pros and cons of different types of transport (e.g.buses, trains, cars and bicyles).
Now let's pretend that on the day of your FCE Writing Paper you see a composition on whether cars should be banned from city centres. Your first reaction might be 'How lucky! I've already done that question in class. Let's write down the same information." However, although each question is about transport, they require different answers.
Some candidates even manage to memorise whole essays before the exam. This isn't such a great idea because
a) it is hard to do and
b) you don't learn how to plan your answer before you start writing.
By all means, learn useful phrases and chunks of language (e.g. "This report will deal with...") but remember that the examiner will NOT be impressed if you just repeat a pre-prepared answer!
Well, I hope you find this useful!
Keep checking our blog as often as possible. I´ll be updating it every day.
See you soon!
Daniela (looking forward to your comments...)
viernes, 10 de julio de 2009
Your Roadmap to Speaking Success-Day 4
Day 4: What do you do well? What needs improving?
Welcome to Day 4 of 'Your Roadmap to Speaking Exam Success'. Here's a reminder of the second goal we identified on Day 1:
Goal 2: Know your strengths in speaking English and the areas you need to work on.
There's no short cut to improving your general proficiency in English as measured by your use of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and discourse management. Your English is currently at a particular level and this will only improve over time depending on the amount of practice you put in. This is why you need to take every opportunity both in class and during self-study to improve your English speaking skills. This will come about by practising ALL skills, not just speaking. Your vocabulary will grow the more you read in English, the more you listen to spoken English the better your pronunciation will become.
But what other steps can you take to improve your spoken English in preparation for the exam?Start by looking at your own habits when speaking English. For example, do you worry a lot about making mistakes and therefore tend to speak slowly and deliberately?
Do you wait to be asked for your opinion before saying anything during a discussion?
Do you find yourself hesitating a lot when speaking at length?
Habits like these mean you're not making the most of your opportunities in speaking English.
Try today's task to identify areas you can work on for improvement.
Task
Read the statements below, some of which appeared in yesterday's quiz. Grade yourself from 1 to 5 on each one. (1 = Often, 5 = Never)
A) Do you tend to focus too much on speaking accurately at the expense of your fluency skills? B) Do you speak very quickly with little concern for accuracy?
C) Do you often answer questions briefly with little detail?
D) Do you find it difficult to deal with comments or questions you don't understand?
E) Do you wait to be asked questions rather than initiating conversation yourself?
F) Do you spend most of the time talking and rarely ask questions?
G) Do you often repeat the same words and expressions instead of using a variety of vocabulary?
H) Do you find it difficult to find the words or grammar to explain what you mean?
I) Do you run out of things to say when making a long turn before the time's up?
J) Do your long turns ramble rather than have structure?
K) Do you hesitate a lot during long turns?
L) Do you find it difficult to vary your intonation?
M) Do you find it difficult pronouncing certain sounds such as vowels, dipthongs or consonant clusters?
If you scored too many 1s and 2s, set yourself the task of improving at least one grade in all areas during your exam preparation. Your English proficiency will improve as you get out of habits that slow down the development of your spoken English.
Tomorrow
Looking for the chance to speak with other advanced English students at a time and place that suits you? You'll find out how to do this in tomorrow's lesson!
Welcome to Day 4 of 'Your Roadmap to Speaking Exam Success'. Here's a reminder of the second goal we identified on Day 1:
Goal 2: Know your strengths in speaking English and the areas you need to work on.
There's no short cut to improving your general proficiency in English as measured by your use of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and discourse management. Your English is currently at a particular level and this will only improve over time depending on the amount of practice you put in. This is why you need to take every opportunity both in class and during self-study to improve your English speaking skills. This will come about by practising ALL skills, not just speaking. Your vocabulary will grow the more you read in English, the more you listen to spoken English the better your pronunciation will become.
But what other steps can you take to improve your spoken English in preparation for the exam?Start by looking at your own habits when speaking English. For example, do you worry a lot about making mistakes and therefore tend to speak slowly and deliberately?
Do you wait to be asked for your opinion before saying anything during a discussion?
Do you find yourself hesitating a lot when speaking at length?
Habits like these mean you're not making the most of your opportunities in speaking English.
Try today's task to identify areas you can work on for improvement.
Task
Read the statements below, some of which appeared in yesterday's quiz. Grade yourself from 1 to 5 on each one. (1 = Often, 5 = Never)
A) Do you tend to focus too much on speaking accurately at the expense of your fluency skills? B) Do you speak very quickly with little concern for accuracy?
C) Do you often answer questions briefly with little detail?
D) Do you find it difficult to deal with comments or questions you don't understand?
E) Do you wait to be asked questions rather than initiating conversation yourself?
F) Do you spend most of the time talking and rarely ask questions?
G) Do you often repeat the same words and expressions instead of using a variety of vocabulary?
H) Do you find it difficult to find the words or grammar to explain what you mean?
I) Do you run out of things to say when making a long turn before the time's up?
J) Do your long turns ramble rather than have structure?
K) Do you hesitate a lot during long turns?
L) Do you find it difficult to vary your intonation?
M) Do you find it difficult pronouncing certain sounds such as vowels, dipthongs or consonant clusters?
If you scored too many 1s and 2s, set yourself the task of improving at least one grade in all areas during your exam preparation. Your English proficiency will improve as you get out of habits that slow down the development of your spoken English.
Tomorrow
Looking for the chance to speak with other advanced English students at a time and place that suits you? You'll find out how to do this in tomorrow's lesson!
TUESDAY 14th JULY
Hi! Welcome to our second “on line” class!!
1. Today we´re doing the Familiarization Activities for our next portfolio: ARTICLE
Open your Student´s Book on page 19
- Read the question and then look at the checklist on the other side of the page, to get a clear idea of what you are expected to include in you writing. Remember examiners will take this into account when they mark your composition. They´ll give you a mark for each of the following criteria:
· Content (Ideas to include)
· Range (variety of grammar and vocabulary)
· Organisation (paragraphing)
· Register (grade of formality)
· Target reader (who will read your writing)
· Language accuracy (errors)
- Go back to page 19 and have a look at the “Ideas for writing” . Please send me your answers to the questions asked here for next class (July 16th)
- Look at the Model Answer on p.21 paying close attention to the numbered comments.
- Do you have a clear idea of the kind of piece you are expected to produce? Here are some other useful tips for you to take into account:
· Articles can be on almost any topic, and have any reader. It is therefore important to think about your reader and choose an appropriate style.
· Your article will be published in a magazine or newspaper of some kind, or perhaps included in a book of articles, like an anthology. Think about who might read such publication, in order to select an appropriate style of writing. When the reader could be just about anybody, think about one possible reader, and write for that reader.
· It is a good technique to directly address your readers in articles. Imagine that you are “speaking” to them through your article. To involve your reader, ask questions, give advice, give encouragement where appropriate, persuade, suggest, etc.
(Remember you DON´T have to write any piece so far. Just read everything carefully, reflect upon it and let me know if you have a clear idea about it)
2. THE ENDGAME- Part 2
a. Check the meaning of the following words/phrases and make sentences or a dialogue using all of them
ASK FOR A LOAN – A MATTER OF TRUST – PURCHASE THE LEASE OF A SHOP – A CHORE – MAKE A HANDSOME PROFIT – OUTSTANDING LOANS
b. Answer the “While reading” questions on p. 145 and send me the answers for next class (16th July)
3. If you still haven´t do so, don’t forget to send me the answers to the homework we had assigned for today:
- PRACTICE TEST # 4 – JULY (Just send me your marks for each paper)
-Expert p. 83-Relative Clauses- ex. 4, 5 and 7
- Expert p. 76 – Reflexives – ex. 1a and “Robots”
Keep working hard!!
See you next class,
Daniela
1. Today we´re doing the Familiarization Activities for our next portfolio: ARTICLE
Open your Student´s Book on page 19
- Read the question and then look at the checklist on the other side of the page, to get a clear idea of what you are expected to include in you writing. Remember examiners will take this into account when they mark your composition. They´ll give you a mark for each of the following criteria:
· Content (Ideas to include)
· Range (variety of grammar and vocabulary)
· Organisation (paragraphing)
· Register (grade of formality)
· Target reader (who will read your writing)
· Language accuracy (errors)
- Go back to page 19 and have a look at the “Ideas for writing” . Please send me your answers to the questions asked here for next class (July 16th)
- Look at the Model Answer on p.21 paying close attention to the numbered comments.
- Do you have a clear idea of the kind of piece you are expected to produce? Here are some other useful tips for you to take into account:
· Articles can be on almost any topic, and have any reader. It is therefore important to think about your reader and choose an appropriate style.
· Your article will be published in a magazine or newspaper of some kind, or perhaps included in a book of articles, like an anthology. Think about who might read such publication, in order to select an appropriate style of writing. When the reader could be just about anybody, think about one possible reader, and write for that reader.
· It is a good technique to directly address your readers in articles. Imagine that you are “speaking” to them through your article. To involve your reader, ask questions, give advice, give encouragement where appropriate, persuade, suggest, etc.
(Remember you DON´T have to write any piece so far. Just read everything carefully, reflect upon it and let me know if you have a clear idea about it)
2. THE ENDGAME- Part 2
a. Check the meaning of the following words/phrases and make sentences or a dialogue using all of them
ASK FOR A LOAN – A MATTER OF TRUST – PURCHASE THE LEASE OF A SHOP – A CHORE – MAKE A HANDSOME PROFIT – OUTSTANDING LOANS
b. Answer the “While reading” questions on p. 145 and send me the answers for next class (16th July)
3. If you still haven´t do so, don’t forget to send me the answers to the homework we had assigned for today:
- PRACTICE TEST # 4 – JULY (Just send me your marks for each paper)
-Expert p. 83-Relative Clauses- ex. 4, 5 and 7
- Expert p. 76 – Reflexives – ex. 1a and “Robots”
Keep working hard!!
See you next class,
Daniela
PRACTICE TEST #4 JULY - LISTENING PAPER
You can listen to the four parts of this paper by clicking on the following links:
Part 1 : http://www.mediafire.com/?mguy1ynytni
Part 2 : http://www.mediafire.com/?z1zzyz134zm
Part 3: http://www.mediafire.com/?qdjew1nhjzl
Part 4: http://www.mediafire.com/?5zj1jnqmymo
Please do it as we usually do in class. Don´t stop or rewind it.
Good luck!
Your teacher
Part 1 : http://www.mediafire.com/?mguy1ynytni
Part 2 : http://www.mediafire.com/?z1zzyz134zm
Part 3: http://www.mediafire.com/?qdjew1nhjzl
Part 4: http://www.mediafire.com/?5zj1jnqmymo
Please do it as we usually do in class. Don´t stop or rewind it.
Good luck!
Your teacher
miércoles, 8 de julio de 2009
PRACTICE TEST # 4 - JULY - KEY
Hi everyone!
Here´s the key to the complete test. Please check the answers, correct yourselves and send me your marks. Don´t forget to keep your own record in your FCE Monitor (in your Booklet p.125)
PAPER 1 - READING
Part 1 (2 marks each correct answer)
1B - 2C - 3A - 4D - 5A - 6B - 7C - 8C
Part 2 (2 marks each correct answer)
9B - 10C - 11E- 12H - 13D - 14F - 15A
Part 3 (1 mark each correct answer)
16 B - 17C - 18D - 19B - 20A - 21E - 22A - 23C - 24A - 25D - 26C - 27B - 28E - 29D - 30E
PAPER 3 - USE OF ENGLISH
Part 1 (1 mark each correct answer)
1D - 2C - 3D - 4B - 5C- 6C - 7D - 8A - 9B - 10C - 11D - 12A
Part 2 (1 mark each correct answer)
13 long - 14 with - 15 of - 16 later/on - 17 in - 18 had/needed/used -
19 to/for/before - 20 takes - 21 These - 22 much - 23 which - 24 one
Part 3 (1 mark each correct answer)
25 extraordinary - 26 freezing/frozen - 27 assistance - 28 equipment -
29 loneliness - 30 hopeful - 31 friendships - 32 heat - 33 poisonous - 34 reasonable
Part 4 (There´re two parts to each answer – 2 marks each)
35 never seen (1) such a strange (1) -
36 were driven (1) into town by (1) –
37 insisted on (1) paying (1) -
38 didn´t succeed (1) in persuading (1) –
39 you mind (1) not using(1) -
40 made a good (1) impression on (1)
41 wishes (that) he had (1) told(1) -
42 had trouble (1) (in) following (1)
Paper 4 - LISTENING
(1 mark each correct answer in all parts)
Part 1
1 A - 2A - 3B - 4A - 5C - 6A - 7C - 8C
Part 2
9 circle (around them) - 10 (a) brain(s) - 11 stress - 12 feelings - 13 read -
14 reward - 15 52 teeth - 16 two days - 17 sound vawe(s)/sound(s) / high-pitched noises -
18 (fishing) nets
Part 3
19 E - 20 F - 21C - 22D - 23B
Part 4
24A - 25C - 26B - 27A - 28A - 29 C - 30B
Wish you good luck!
Don´t forget to send me your marks.
Here´s the key to the complete test. Please check the answers, correct yourselves and send me your marks. Don´t forget to keep your own record in your FCE Monitor (in your Booklet p.125)
PAPER 1 - READING
Part 1 (2 marks each correct answer)
1B - 2C - 3A - 4D - 5A - 6B - 7C - 8C
Part 2 (2 marks each correct answer)
9B - 10C - 11E- 12H - 13D - 14F - 15A
Part 3 (1 mark each correct answer)
16 B - 17C - 18D - 19B - 20A - 21E - 22A - 23C - 24A - 25D - 26C - 27B - 28E - 29D - 30E
PAPER 3 - USE OF ENGLISH
Part 1 (1 mark each correct answer)
1D - 2C - 3D - 4B - 5C- 6C - 7D - 8A - 9B - 10C - 11D - 12A
Part 2 (1 mark each correct answer)
13 long - 14 with - 15 of - 16 later/on - 17 in - 18 had/needed/used -
19 to/for/before - 20 takes - 21 These - 22 much - 23 which - 24 one
Part 3 (1 mark each correct answer)
25 extraordinary - 26 freezing/frozen - 27 assistance - 28 equipment -
29 loneliness - 30 hopeful - 31 friendships - 32 heat - 33 poisonous - 34 reasonable
Part 4 (There´re two parts to each answer – 2 marks each)
35 never seen (1) such a strange (1) -
36 were driven (1) into town by (1) –
37 insisted on (1) paying (1) -
38 didn´t succeed (1) in persuading (1) –
39 you mind (1) not using(1) -
40 made a good (1) impression on (1)
41 wishes (that) he had (1) told(1) -
42 had trouble (1) (in) following (1)
Paper 4 - LISTENING
(1 mark each correct answer in all parts)
Part 1
1 A - 2A - 3B - 4A - 5C - 6A - 7C - 8C
Part 2
9 circle (around them) - 10 (a) brain(s) - 11 stress - 12 feelings - 13 read -
14 reward - 15 52 teeth - 16 two days - 17 sound vawe(s)/sound(s) / high-pitched noises -
18 (fishing) nets
Part 3
19 E - 20 F - 21C - 22D - 23B
Part 4
24A - 25C - 26B - 27A - 28A - 29 C - 30B
Wish you good luck!
Don´t forget to send me your marks.
Suscribirse a:
Entradas (Atom)