Admittedly this isn't directly related to the business of CAE exam preparation, but I thought you may be interested in a website which I've recommmended to another group for accessing English language TV programmes online, called Hola.org. It's free to sign up - all you need to do is click on 'Get Hola', add the Hola flame icon to your toolbar (or install Hola on your computer, which I've just been given the option to do), then click on the flame icon (or the icon on your desktop) to search for the channel you wish to access. In the case of BBC, once you enter the BBC website you should select 'IPlayer', which is the part of the site where you can watch many kinds of recently broadcasted BBC programmes.
Please give it a try and let me know if it works for you!
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
Lesson 24/27: Wednesday 28/Thursday 29 January 2015
Classwork:
- Review of listening strategies
- Complete Listening test (Parts 1-4)
Homework:
- Vocabulary: p80 Ex1b
- Listening test review: Read audioscripts for Listening Test 2 (the test completed in class) to locate correct answers and identify possible causes of comprehension difficulties / difficulties in choosing the correct answers
- Writing exam preparation: Read the section at the back of the exam practice book containing an explanation of the marking criteria and study the sample answers to writing questions from Tests 1-4
- Review of listening strategies
- Complete Listening test (Parts 1-4)
Homework:
- Vocabulary: p80 Ex1b
- Listening test review: Read audioscripts for Listening Test 2 (the test completed in class) to locate correct answers and identify possible causes of comprehension difficulties / difficulties in choosing the correct answers
- Writing exam preparation: Read the section at the back of the exam practice book containing an explanation of the marking criteria and study the sample answers to writing questions from Tests 1-4
Lesson 26: Tuesday 27 January 2015
Classwork:
- Writing (Proposal): p68-69 Ex 2 - 4
Homework:
- (for TUES 10 FEB) Writing: p69 Ex 5 + 6 (answering the task in Ex2 on p68, proposing ideas for a community project where students help in a local shelter for the homeless)
EXAMPLE PROPOSAL: I suggest that you take a look at the sample proposal on p113 of the exam practice book (which is an answer to Q4 on p45) to get a clearer idea of how to organise and write your proposal.
REMEMBER: COMPLETE MOCK LISTENING TEST ON THURSDAY!! Please bring your exam practice book to class.
- Writing (Proposal): p68-69 Ex 2 - 4
Homework:
- (for TUES 10 FEB) Writing: p69 Ex 5 + 6 (answering the task in Ex2 on p68, proposing ideas for a community project where students help in a local shelter for the homeless)
EXAMPLE PROPOSAL: I suggest that you take a look at the sample proposal on p113 of the exam practice book (which is an answer to Q4 on p45) to get a clearer idea of how to organise and write your proposal.
REMEMBER: COMPLETE MOCK LISTENING TEST ON THURSDAY!! Please bring your exam practice book to class.
Monday, 26 January 2015
February Mock Exam Information
Monday/Wednesday group:
Wed 11 February: Writing (45 minutes) + Listening (40 minutes)
Mon 16 February: Reading + Use of English (90 minutes)
Tuesday/Thursday group:
Thurs 12 February: Writing (45 minutes) + Listening (40 minutes)
Tues 17 February: Reading + Use of English (90 minutes)
Problems with attending on those days:
I'm currently in the process of organising alternative exam sessions for those of you who have informed me of problems with attending one or both of the above sessions. I'll be in touch as soon as possible with a list of possible days/times to choose from. If you have problems with either of the above dates and have not yet informed me by EMAIL, please do so this week; otherwise it may not be possible to make alternative arrangements.
Thanks!
Wed 11 February: Writing (45 minutes) + Listening (40 minutes)
Mon 16 February: Reading + Use of English (90 minutes)
Tuesday/Thursday group:
Thurs 12 February: Writing (45 minutes) + Listening (40 minutes)
Tues 17 February: Reading + Use of English (90 minutes)
Problems with attending on those days:
I'm currently in the process of organising alternative exam sessions for those of you who have informed me of problems with attending one or both of the above sessions. I'll be in touch as soon as possible with a list of possible days/times to choose from. If you have problems with either of the above dates and have not yet informed me by EMAIL, please do so this week; otherwise it may not be possible to make alternative arrangements.
Thanks!
Sunday, 25 January 2015
Lesson 25: Thursday 22 January 2015
Classwork:
- Speaking (Part 4): p81 Ex 6
- Reading (Part 6): p83 Ex 1
- Listening (Part 1): Test 1 p24
Homework:
- Writing: p62 Ex 1 + 2a
- (BY 17 FEBRUARY) Reading/Use of English: Test 3 ALL (Time yourself and complete all 8 parts in 90 minutes)
LISTENING 'MOCK MOCK' TEST ON THURSDAY 29TH JANUARY (COMPLETE 40 MINUTE PRACTICE TEST)
- Speaking (Part 4): p81 Ex 6
- Reading (Part 6): p83 Ex 1
- Listening (Part 1): Test 1 p24
Homework:
- Writing: p62 Ex 1 + 2a
- (BY 17 FEBRUARY) Reading/Use of English: Test 3 ALL (Time yourself and complete all 8 parts in 90 minutes)
LISTENING 'MOCK MOCK' TEST ON THURSDAY 29TH JANUARY (COMPLETE 40 MINUTE PRACTICE TEST)
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Lesson 24: Tuesday 20 January 2015
Classwork:
- Listening: p79 Ex 1-4
- Speaking: p80-81 Ex 1a, 2c-e, 3a, 4a, 5a + b
Homework:
- Vocabulary: p80 Ex 1c
- Grammar: p82 Ex 1-4 (check answers on blog)
- Listening: p79 Ex 1-4
- Speaking: p80-81 Ex 1a, 2c-e, 3a, 4a, 5a + b
Homework:
- Vocabulary: p80 Ex 1c
- Grammar: p82 Ex 1-4 (check answers on blog)
Saturday, 17 January 2015
Lesson 23: Thursday 15/Monday 26 January 2015
Classwork:
- Use of English: p75 Ex 2b, 3
- Listening: p76 Ex 1-3
Homework:
- Language development: p77 Ex 1, 2a + b, 3a (check answers on blog)
LISTENING 'MOCK MOCK' TEST ON WEDNESDAY 28TH JANUARY (COMPLETE 40 MINUTE PRACTICE TEST)
- Use of English: p75 Ex 2b, 3
- Listening: p76 Ex 1-3
Homework:
- Language development: p77 Ex 1, 2a + b, 3a (check answers on blog)
LISTENING 'MOCK MOCK' TEST ON WEDNESDAY 28TH JANUARY (COMPLETE 40 MINUTE PRACTICE TEST)
Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Tuesday, 13 January 2015
Lesson 22: Tuesday 13/Wednesday 21 January 2015
Classwork:
- Speaking: p71 Ex 2b
- Vocab: p74 Ex 2 + 3
- Reading: p72-73 Ex 1 + 3
Homework:
(for Thurs/Mon)
- Use of Eng: p67 Ex 2b + 3
- Vocab: p74 Ex 1a+b. 4a
- Reading: p72-73 Reread text and questions carefully and review answers
- Unit 4 Review: p70 Ex 1-4 (check answers on blog)
- Writing: p62 Ex 1 + 2a (we'll check the answers when we look at proposal writing in a couple of weeks)
- Speaking: p71 Ex 2b
- Vocab: p74 Ex 2 + 3
- Reading: p72-73 Ex 1 + 3
Homework:
(for Thurs/Mon)
- Use of Eng: p67 Ex 2b + 3
- Vocab: p74 Ex 1a+b. 4a
- Reading: p72-73 Reread text and questions carefully and review answers
- Unit 4 Review: p70 Ex 1-4 (check answers on blog)
- Writing: p62 Ex 1 + 2a (we'll check the answers when we look at proposal writing in a couple of weeks)
Friday, 9 January 2015
Lesson 21: Thursday 8/Monday 19 January 2015
Classwork:
- Listening: p63 Ex 1, 2, 3b, 5(Q1)
- Speaking: p64-65 Ex 1, 3b + c, 4, 5, 6
Homework:
(for Tues 13th/Wed 21st)
-Vocabulary: p64-65 Ex 2
-Writing: Write a one-minute talk to answer the Speaking Part 2 Task you did last lesson (p65 Ex 5) using vocabulary and structures from p64-65 and bearing in mind organisation and length/timing.
(for Thurs 15th/Mon 26th)
- Writing: p62 Ex 1, 2a; Use of Eng: p67 Ex 2b + 3
- Listening: p63 Ex 1, 2, 3b, 5(Q1)
- Speaking: p64-65 Ex 1, 3b + c, 4, 5, 6
Homework:
(for Tues 13th/Wed 21st)
-Vocabulary: p64-65 Ex 2
-Writing: Write a one-minute talk to answer the Speaking Part 2 Task you did last lesson (p65 Ex 5) using vocabulary and structures from p64-65 and bearing in mind organisation and length/timing.
(for Thurs 15th/Mon 26th)
- Writing: p62 Ex 1, 2a; Use of Eng: p67 Ex 2b + 3
Exam Practice Books: 'Exam Essentials'
Here are some links to two exam practice books (each containing 8 complete practice tests; with CDs and answer keys included) which I would strongly advise you to purchase and make use of as a supplement to the course book and exam practice book which we use on the course. After all, when it comes to the CAE/Advanced exam, there's no such thing as too much practice! ;)
http://www.amazon.es/Exam-Essentials-Cambridge-Advanced-Practice/dp/1285744977/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1420836832&sr=8-4&keywords=advanced+exam+essentials
http://www.amazon.es/Exam-Essentials-Cambridge-Advanced-Practice/dp/1285745078/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420836832&sr=8-1&keywords=advanced+exam+essentials
http://www.amazon.es/Exam-Essentials-Cambridge-Advanced-Practice/dp/1285744977/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1420836832&sr=8-4&keywords=advanced+exam+essentials
http://www.amazon.es/Exam-Essentials-Cambridge-Advanced-Practice/dp/1285745078/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420836832&sr=8-1&keywords=advanced+exam+essentials
Thursday, 8 January 2015
Monday, 5 January 2015
Course Feedback: Your teacher needs you!!
Happy New Year Everybody!
Following the Christmas break, I thought now would be a good time for me to get some feedback from you on the course so far.
What would you like to do more/less of (within the realms of possibility)? What do you think of the course book? Am I giving you enough homework?! What would you like to see on the blog? Above all, are you getting what you want/need out of the course so far? Do you feel that it is adequately preparing you for the CAE exam?
Please post a message on the blog or drop me an email with any comments or requests, the more specific the better! For example, a request for more practice of Speaking Part 3 would be more informative and helpful than simply asking for more speaking practice.
Much appreciated!
Following the Christmas break, I thought now would be a good time for me to get some feedback from you on the course so far.
What would you like to do more/less of (within the realms of possibility)? What do you think of the course book? Am I giving you enough homework?! What would you like to see on the blog? Above all, are you getting what you want/need out of the course so far? Do you feel that it is adequately preparing you for the CAE exam?
Please post a message on the blog or drop me an email with any comments or requests, the more specific the better! For example, a request for more practice of Speaking Part 3 would be more informative and helpful than simply asking for more speaking practice.
Much appreciated!
Lesson 20: Thursday 18 December/Wednesday 14 January
Classwork:
- Speaking: p55 Ex1a
- Listening (Part 1): p60 Ex 2, 3b, 3c, 4
Homework:
- p61 Ex 1-4 (answers to be posted on blog)
- Speaking: p55 Ex1a
- Listening (Part 1): p60 Ex 2, 3b, 3c, 4
Homework:
- p61 Ex 1-4 (answers to be posted on blog)
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