Classwork:
- Speaking (Part 2): p96-97 Ex 4a, 5
- Writing (Essay): p100 Ex 2, Brainstorming ideas
Homework:
(BY TUES 3 MARCH)
- Language development 2: p98 Ex ALL
- Writing: Make paragraph plan for essay
- Writing (Cohesion): p94 Ex 2b - no need to rewrite the extracts yourself, but look at model answer on blog and notice how cohesive devices are used to improve cohesion
- Speaking (Part 2): Write 1 minute talk of task done in class (p97 Ex 5 - either Task 1 or Task 2)
- Unit 5 Review: p86
THURSDAY'S LESSON: MOCK EXAM RESULTS AND ANSWERS
NO NEED TO BRING ANY BOOKS!
Wednesday, 25 February 2015
Tuesday, 24 February 2015
Mock Exam Feedback and Recommendations
This week (on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 February) you will receive your results for the mock CAE exam and I will be speaking to all of you individually about your progress on the course, your current situation and the best way to proceed.
In order to be recommended to sit the exam at CSIM in June, you will require a pass mark of 65% and a good result in all papers as a firm demonstration of your readiness. The pass mark in the real exam is 60%, so the 65% benchmark allows a 'margin of error', taking in account the possible effect of nerves on the day of the real exam.
In the case that you are recommended to sit the exam, you will be sent all the registration instructions and details of the exam by email. The registration period runs from 2 - 18 March.
If you are not recommended to sit the exam at CSIM in June, one possible alternative would be to register for the exam later in the year at the British Council, who run sessions year-round. Obviously you are free to take the exam anywhere and anytime you choose, but considering that the registration fee is around 190€, it would seem unwise to attempt the exam before you are fully prepared, confident and genuinely able to pass!
If you have any questions about this, please get in touch.
In order to be recommended to sit the exam at CSIM in June, you will require a pass mark of 65% and a good result in all papers as a firm demonstration of your readiness. The pass mark in the real exam is 60%, so the 65% benchmark allows a 'margin of error', taking in account the possible effect of nerves on the day of the real exam.
In the case that you are recommended to sit the exam, you will be sent all the registration instructions and details of the exam by email. The registration period runs from 2 - 18 March.
If you are not recommended to sit the exam at CSIM in June, one possible alternative would be to register for the exam later in the year at the British Council, who run sessions year-round. Obviously you are free to take the exam anywhere and anytime you choose, but considering that the registration fee is around 190€, it would seem unwise to attempt the exam before you are fully prepared, confident and genuinely able to pass!
If you have any questions about this, please get in touch.
Monday, 23 February 2015
Lesson 28: Monday 23 February 2015
Classwork:
- Speaking (Part 4): p81 Ex 6
- Writing (Proposal): p68-69 Ex 2-4b
Homework:
- (BY MONDAY 2 MARCH) Writing: p69 Ex 4c
- (BY MONDAY 9 MARCH) Writing: p69 Ex 5 + 6 (Write proposal for community homelessness project)
- Language development: p82 ALL (answers in email)
- Unit 5 Review: p86 ALL (answers on blog)
WEDNESDAY'S LESSON: MOCK EXAM RESULTS AND ANSWERS
NO NEED TO BRING ANY BOOKS!
- Speaking (Part 4): p81 Ex 6
- Writing (Proposal): p68-69 Ex 2-4b
Homework:
- (BY MONDAY 2 MARCH) Writing: p69 Ex 4c
- (BY MONDAY 9 MARCH) Writing: p69 Ex 5 + 6 (Write proposal for community homelessness project)
- Language development: p82 ALL (answers in email)
- Unit 5 Review: p86 ALL (answers on blog)
WEDNESDAY'S LESSON: MOCK EXAM RESULTS AND ANSWERS
NO NEED TO BRING ANY BOOKS!
Friday, 20 February 2015
Lesson 31: Thursday 19 February 2015
Classwork:
- Vocabulary: p90 Ex 1b, 2c
- Listening (Part 2): p95 Ex 1-4
- Speaking (Part 2): p96-97 Ex 1, 3, 5
Homework:
- Use of English (Part 3): p91 Ex 4
- Writing: p78 Ex 1; p94 Ex 1, 2a
- Vocabulary: p96 Ex 2
- Reading (Part 6): Test 1 + 2 (there is no deadline for this - it's simply a suggestion to practice more cross-text multiple matching tasks)
- Vocabulary: p90 Ex 1b, 2c
- Listening (Part 2): p95 Ex 1-4
- Speaking (Part 2): p96-97 Ex 1, 3, 5
Homework:
- Use of English (Part 3): p91 Ex 4
- Writing: p78 Ex 1; p94 Ex 1, 2a
- Vocabulary: p96 Ex 2
- Reading (Part 6): Test 1 + 2 (there is no deadline for this - it's simply a suggestion to practice more cross-text multiple matching tasks)
Thursday, 19 February 2015
More Useful CAE/Advanced Exam Books!
You may wish to consider investing in some of these books for further grammar practice, vocabulary development, or to improve your writing, reading, listening or speaking skills. Bear in mind that many books are be based on the old exam, and may contain reference to tasks which no longer form part of the exam (such as the Use of English task in which you complete 3 sentences with the same word). Having said that, the majority of the content should still be relevant and useful.
Common Mistakes at CAE and how to avoid them (pre 2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Common-Mistakes-CAE-Book-advanced/dp/3125341485/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355092&sr=8-1&keywords=common+mistakes+at+cae...and+how+to+avoid+them
Grammar and Vocabulary for Advanced (2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Grammar-Vocabulary-Advanced-Answers-Audio/dp/1107481112/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355477&sr=8-1&keywords=vocabulary+advanced+cambridge
Vocabulary for Advanced (pre 2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Cambridge-Vocabulary-Advanced-Answers-English/dp/0521182204/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355258&sr=8-1&keywords=cambridge+vocabulary+for+advanced
Grammar for CAE and Proficiency (pre 2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Cambridge-Grammar-Proficiency-Answers-Certificate/dp/0521713757/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355315&sr=8-6&keywords=grammar+advanced+cambridge
The Official Top Tips for CAE (pre 2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Official-Top-Tips-CAE-CD-ROM/dp/1906438773/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355363&sr=8-1&keywords=tips+advanced+cambridge
Writing for Advanced (2015)
http://www.amazon.es/IMPROVE-SKILLS-Writing-Pack-Skills/dp/0230462030/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355622&sr=8-1&keywords=improve+writing+cambridge+advanced
Listening and Speaking for Advanced (2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Improve-your-Skills-Listening-Speaking/dp/3191229132/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355676&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=improve+listening+cambridge+advanced
Reading for Advanced (2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Improve-Your-Skills-Reading-Advanced/dp/0230462065/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355676&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=improve+listening+cambridge+advanced
Use of English for Advanced (2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Improve-your-Skills-Advanced-Students/dp/3191629130/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424801315&sr=8-1&keywords=use+of+english+for+advanced
Common Mistakes at CAE and how to avoid them (pre 2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Common-Mistakes-CAE-Book-advanced/dp/3125341485/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355092&sr=8-1&keywords=common+mistakes+at+cae...and+how+to+avoid+them
Grammar and Vocabulary for Advanced (2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Grammar-Vocabulary-Advanced-Answers-Audio/dp/1107481112/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355477&sr=8-1&keywords=vocabulary+advanced+cambridge
Vocabulary for Advanced (pre 2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Cambridge-Vocabulary-Advanced-Answers-English/dp/0521182204/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355258&sr=8-1&keywords=cambridge+vocabulary+for+advanced
Grammar for CAE and Proficiency (pre 2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Cambridge-Grammar-Proficiency-Answers-Certificate/dp/0521713757/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355315&sr=8-6&keywords=grammar+advanced+cambridge
The Official Top Tips for CAE (pre 2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Official-Top-Tips-CAE-CD-ROM/dp/1906438773/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355363&sr=8-1&keywords=tips+advanced+cambridge
Writing for Advanced (2015)
http://www.amazon.es/IMPROVE-SKILLS-Writing-Pack-Skills/dp/0230462030/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355622&sr=8-1&keywords=improve+writing+cambridge+advanced
Listening and Speaking for Advanced (2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Improve-your-Skills-Listening-Speaking/dp/3191229132/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355676&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=improve+listening+cambridge+advanced
Reading for Advanced (2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Improve-Your-Skills-Reading-Advanced/dp/0230462065/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1424355676&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=improve+listening+cambridge+advanced
Use of English for Advanced (2015)
http://www.amazon.es/Improve-your-Skills-Advanced-Students/dp/3191629130/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424801315&sr=8-1&keywords=use+of+english+for+advanced
Tuesday, 17 February 2015
WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY: CLASS CANCELLED
Dear All,
Just to let you know that I´ve had to cancel tomorrow´s class due to ill health. Apologies for that but the class will be recovered in May - instead of finishing on Wednesday 20th May, the course will now finish on Monday 25th May.
Hope to see you next week.
Jem
Just to let you know that I´ve had to cancel tomorrow´s class due to ill health. Apologies for that but the class will be recovered in May - instead of finishing on Wednesday 20th May, the course will now finish on Monday 25th May.
Hope to see you next week.
Jem
Monday, 16 February 2015
Reading Answers: Cross-text multiple matching p83 (for Monday/Wednesday class)
Q1 - A
'the self centred and uncommunicative protagonist comes over not quite as a hero but not exactly a mediocre character either' (C)
'He depicts his lead actor as complex and ambiguous: Zuckerberg's self-confidence is impressive, amusing, yet extraordinarily hostile' (A)
Q2 - D
Review D expresses a negative view of the dialogue, while the other reviews are more positive.
'Sorkin's fast-paced chatter is relentless, making it a struggle at times for those with no interest in technology to follow' (D)
Q3 - C
'Fincher has modified his usually distinctive style' (C)
Q4 - C
Reviewer C considers the legal dispute to be the main theme of the film, while the other reviewers focus on the relationship between Zuckerberg and his business partner.
'The film has as its focal point the bitter legal dispute as to who gets the credit for Facebook's start-up' (C)
'the self centred and uncommunicative protagonist comes over not quite as a hero but not exactly a mediocre character either' (C)
'He depicts his lead actor as complex and ambiguous: Zuckerberg's self-confidence is impressive, amusing, yet extraordinarily hostile' (A)
Q2 - D
Review D expresses a negative view of the dialogue, while the other reviews are more positive.
'Sorkin's fast-paced chatter is relentless, making it a struggle at times for those with no interest in technology to follow' (D)
Q3 - C
'Fincher has modified his usually distinctive style' (C)
Q4 - C
Reviewer C considers the legal dispute to be the main theme of the film, while the other reviewers focus on the relationship between Zuckerberg and his business partner.
'The film has as its focal point the bitter legal dispute as to who gets the credit for Facebook's start-up' (C)
Wednesday, 11 February 2015
Lesson 28: Tuesday 10 February 2015
Classwork:
- Vocabulary: p90 Ex 3a + b
- Reading (Part 7): p88-89 Ex 1-5
- Listening (Part 4): p92 Ex 1 + 2
Homework:
- (BY 17 FEB) Reading/Use of English: Test 3 ALL (completed in 90 minutes, as a practice for the exam next week)
- (BY 19 FEB) Vocabulary: p90 Ex 1a, 2a, 2b
- Vocabulary: p90 Ex 3a + b
- Reading (Part 7): p88-89 Ex 1-5
- Listening (Part 4): p92 Ex 1 + 2
Homework:
- (BY 17 FEB) Reading/Use of English: Test 3 ALL (completed in 90 minutes, as a practice for the exam next week)
- (BY 19 FEB) Vocabulary: p90 Ex 1a, 2a, 2b
Monday, 9 February 2015
Lesson 25: Monday 9 February 2015
Classwork:
- Speaking (Part 3): p80-81 Ex 1a, 1c, 2c, 2d, 2e, 4, 5
- Listening (Part 3): p79 Ex 1, 2, 3
- Reading (Part 6): p83 Ex 1d (Questions 1 + 3)
Homework:
- Reading (Part 6): Read strategy on p168; p83 Ex 1d (Questions 2 + 4) (answers and explanation to be posted on blog)
- (BY 16 FEBRUARY) Reading/Use of English: Test 3 ALL (Time yourself and complete all 8 parts in 90 minutes)
- Speaking (Part 3): p80-81 Ex 1a, 1c, 2c, 2d, 2e, 4, 5
- Listening (Part 3): p79 Ex 1, 2, 3
- Reading (Part 6): p83 Ex 1d (Questions 1 + 3)
Homework:
- Reading (Part 6): Read strategy on p168; p83 Ex 1d (Questions 2 + 4) (answers and explanation to be posted on blog)
- (BY 16 FEBRUARY) Reading/Use of English: Test 3 ALL (Time yourself and complete all 8 parts in 90 minutes)
Thursday, 5 February 2015
More Exam Info
This is simply a note to confirm that the exam will NOT be based on the content of the course book. In other words, it will be an authentic past exam paper.
Monday, 2 February 2015
Preparing for the Writing exam
Considering that we have not yet done any timed writing in class, I would strongly recommend that you do a practice writing test at home before the February exam. Choose Test 1 or 2 from the exam practice book and allow yourself 90 minutes to complete both tasks. I'd be happy to check your writing and give you some feedback if you email it to me or hand it to me in the class before the exam. Remember to spend 5 minutes or so brainstorming ideas and devising a basic paragraph plan before you start writing!
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