2016.06.08 Class 32 - Exam on Saturday

Exam practice

Since the exam is on Saturday, today will be devoted to exam practice – a little bit of Listening, Use of English and Speaking at the least.

Good luck to everyone!

2016.06.02 - An article worth reading

“Para aprender inglés hay que pensar en español” 

El profesor británico Paul Seligson cuenta por qué España está lejos de conseguir que todos los graduados hablen buen inglés

http://economia.elpais.com/economia/2016/05/24/actualidad/1464089622_354071.html

2016.06.01 Class 31

Comparative and superlative adjectives in Tibetan!

FCE Exam – Writing part 2

Today we're going to review how to write articles (from Writing part 2) for the FCE. First we'll do an activity to get you thinking and talking about a topic, and then we'll use that topic to write an article in class.

The topic: Learning how to do something new

1) With a partner, talk about something new you'd like to learn (e.g. to play the guitar) and brainstorm how you could learn it (e.g. taking classes from your uncle).

Note that you learn to do something and that you can learn it (by) taking a class.

2) I tell you about a time I learned to do something new and you ask me any questions you have about it when I'm done.

Note the use of the narrative tenses (past simple, past continuous, past perfect) in my description and be aware of them as you prepare your own explanation.

3) Think about how you can explain something new that you learned to do.

4) Take turns describing how you learned to do something new. Ask each other questions, give suggestions and give each other constructive feedback.

Did any of the ideas from 1) above get used?

5) We watch a video in which a new skill is being learned. Did they use any of the methods from 1) above?

6) Look at this vocabulary (p2). Match the words in circles to words in a diamond (◊) to make collocations from the video.

FCE - Articles

1) Now we'll prepare a writing task for Part 2 of the Writing exam, an article. Look at the model article on SBp22 and with your partner:

• Describe the style and tone of the article.
• Where does the article speak directly to the reader? Do you like this?
• Compare other model articles and useful tips on writing them on SBp70 and p91.
• There's also a useful model article on LE Teens, but you can look at that after class.

2) Here's a summary of the Key tips for writing an article:

• Plan your article based on the instructions
• Give it a creative title 
• Try to interest the readers using language like 'Have you ever wondered ...?', 'How would you feel if ...?', etc.
• Give reasons for your opinions and, if time allows, examples of them
• When you finish, check that:
• it's long enough (at least 140 words)
• it has two or more paragraphs
• it answers the questions in the instructions
• it has an appropriate style

3) Now let's look at an article from a real student and exam and see how it was marked. This is on p.27 of the FCE Teacher's Handbook (but we won't look at the feedback at first). With your partner, consider:

Does this article follow the tips in 2) above? What strengths does it have? What weaknesses? What marks would you give it for:

• Content (follows the instructions)
• Communicative Achievement (style of an article, clarity of ideas)
• Organisation (paragraphing, linking words)
• Language (grammar & vocab) 

4) Now you're going to begin preparing an answer to the following exam prompt:

The most useful thing I have ever learned.    What is the most useful thing you have learned?   Who did you learn it from? Why is it useful? Write an article answering these questions. We will publish the best articles on our website.

Plan your article with a partner:

• Think of where you've learned things. Obviously at school, but where else?
• What skill do you use a lot (and therefore is useful)? Or maybe a skill is useful because you enjoy it so much?
• Once you've chosen a skill, think about who you learned it from and why you wanted (or had to) learn it. 
• Why is it useful? (be creative)
• Think about which paragraphs these ideas will go in.
• Think of a title.

Then, start writing your articles individually. Remember to follow the rest of the Key tips in 2) above.

Homework

• Your weekly 75 minutes of contact, which should include finishing the article you started in class.

2016.05.25 Class 30

Exam practice

Today we began by reviewing the Writing paper. We looked in depth at writing emails, and you wrote an email based on the prompt on SBp14.

We then turned to the Use of English. You did a part 4 exercise (transformations) that I created based on the grammar that appeared in the last exam you took. Most of you did much better than you did on the exam.

After the break, we did Listening part 2 practice and then spent the rest of class practicing for the Speaking paper. You practised with each other to prepare for part 1 and then you took turns to do part 2 in pairs, with feedback from your classmates.

Homework

• continue your self-study for 75 minutes

2016.05.18 Class 29

Exam tasks

Today we continued intensive work on exam tasks, since the exam is just a few weeks away. You completed a quick on the Use of English paper from the last exam and corrected it together. Use of Englishes from past exams are a great resource to study!

I also returned your reviews, which were good, and I gave you general feedback on them. Several of you barely or nearly passed the last exam, which is good news!

We also did some Reading and Use of English practice on SBp74 and p77.

Finally, after the break, we reviewed the Speaking parts 2, 3 and 4 using SBp76 and p84.

Homework

• Continue with the progress chart (see last class): spend at least 75 minutes working on English this week. You should view the video of a speaking exam in YouTube (for example, the one below or any other you find by searching for 'FCE Speaking 2015'). Then do whatever else you think is best.

2016.05.11 Class 28

Mock exam

Today we continue and more or less finish the mock exam. We begin with Writing:

Writing part 2 – Reviews

We reviewed the format and important points to consider when writing reviews on SBp38 and pp93. There's also a useful one on LE Teens.

Use of English

We reviewed the Use of English section you took on the last mock exam. It's extremely important to learn from your mistakes in the Use of English, so next week you'll have a quiz on this same exam.

Homework

• Study the Use of English exam that you did last week and which we corrected today. You will have a quiz on it in the next class. (See the answers below.)
• Use the progress chart I gave you in class to help you have contact with English for an additional 75 minutes this week. If you download it using the link, you can click on the links to the different websites you can use to have this contact:
• Flo-Joe Reading **
• LETeens Reading skills (choose B2)
• LE Teens Read UK
• LETeens Magazine
• Exam English Listening **
• LETeens Video Zone
• LETeens Listening Skills (choose B2)
• LETeens Music UK
• Flo-Joe Use of English **
• Exam English Use of English **
• LETeens Grammar & Vocabulary
• Exam English Writing **
• LETeens Writing skills
• FCE Speaking videos in YouTube **

2016.05.04 Class 27

Mock exam

Today we continued with the mock exam, doing the Reading paper and Listening parts 2 and 4. We corrected those two papers after the break and then played another trivia game in the last 15 minutes of class.

Homework

You should continue studying vocabulary and reading and/or listening to English outside of class. Expect a writing assignment in class 28.

2016.04.27 Class 26

Flood in Hanoi, Vietnam

Homework and disasters

Today we begin class by reviewing your homework and extending it a bit.

First, below this post are the answers to your homework from the SB. If you missed class, you can correct your own work. Use this opportunity to develop your vocabulary! Even just five minutes of work is valuable.

Then we looked at the Disaster Preparedness Quiz that you had to read, talking about a few words I thought you might have found difficult:

1. strike (in title)
2. drills (Q1)
3. power (Q2)
4. looting (Q3)
5. chance (Q5)
6. seat-back pocket safety card | odds (Q6)
7. patterns (Q8)

You wrote reasons for your answers and discussed them with a partner. Then I showed you the official answers, which are based on a lot of research and we discuss which are surprising and why.

I hope not, but maybe this information will be useful for you one day. I know I'll be looking to see where the exit is next I'm on a plane!

We also looked at an exercise that deals with five key words from the Disaster Quiz:

1. drill - noun: tool for making holes | repetitive activity to practise - verb:
2. effect - noun: result | 'special effects' | possessions - verb: 
3. problem - noun: something needing attention
4. odds - noun: the probability (likelihood) of something happening =~ chance
5. strike - verb: stop work | hit | remove | discover | happen - noun: failure

Mock Exam

We began a mock exam, doing the Use of English (parts 1-4) and then Listening parts 1 and 3. Next week we'll continue.

We ended class with another game of Jeopardy – in the end, it was a draw between the two teams since they both bet everything on the question 'After oxygen, what is the most abundant element in the earth's crust?' (answer)

Homework

Since most of you seem to have exams at school this week, there is no homework for next week. But be prepared to do a writing task for homework next week!

If possible, you should study vocabulary and read. In Quizlet, there are lots of different FCE-preparation lists that you could study in addition to the ones from our class.

2016.04.27 Class 26 - Answers to homework

(answers deleted later)

2016.04.20 Class 25

We began class by talking about the importance of vocabulary, in general and also for the FCE. We reviewed a Quizlet list of weather and climate-related vocabulary (from SBp56 ex2 and related to the photos in the post below) and another list of collocations on the same theme (from SBp56 ex1). This vocabulary was a helpful introduction to the L3 practice task we did on SBp56, which most of you found quite difficult.

We then turned to the UE4 task on SBp61. Here you saw very clearly how vocabulary was an important part of this part of the exam, as well of course as grammar. We then did ex1 on that same page to further work on vocabulary – and here you can find the list in Quizlet – and after the break we reviewed basic comparative forms on SBp60 before doing the S2 practice on that page as well. Remember that you don't need to describe the photos so much as to speculate about them, i.e. tell the story that you think is happening in them. One good way to do this is to say how you think the people in the photos feel, or, if there are no people, what it would be like to be in that place.

We finished the class with a Jeopardy game on Anglophone culture and trivia – Team Faded won in the last round, betting it all on their answer to the question 'Which US President was assassinated in 1865?' (answer).

Homework:

• SBp61 ex2 (it would be useful to study this Quizlet list first)
• SBp63 ex2 and ex4
• Read and answer the How Prepared Are You If A Disaster Strikes questionnaire.

2016.04.20 Vocabulary SBp56

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2016.04.13 Class 24 – Shakespeare

Today after reviewing your homework from Class 23 (which I made a list for in Quizlet) we did a series of activities related to Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. This year marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death and this is the reason for us doing something a bit different today!

First we reviewed the basic plot of the play watching a video on LETeens, and then you worked in groups to decide who was responsible for the deaths of the young, star-crossed lovers.

After the break, we went up to the computer room, where you worked on creating front pages for tabloid newspapers that reported the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. The results were quite good and we'll try to finish them next week in class.

For your homework and to help prepare for the exam in June, you should read something outside of class and study the vocabulary we've seen this year, at the very least the new vocabulary:

• Quizlet list from the homework

2016.04.06 Class 23

Man on the Moon

Today we began class by reviewing your homework, which involved using the passive voice. Those of you who were in class had found it quite difficult, so we went through it quite carefully.

We also reviewed the vocabulary that came up in class last week: digital migrant, digital native, odd, database, spreadsheet, used, out of place, liquid, oxygen and CO2.

We then did a Use of English exercise on SB p.69 on satellites and listened to the song Satellite from Eurovision 2010, working on the lyrics.

Finally, we did an activity based on a popular advert from the 2015 Christmas season called Man on the Moon.

Homework:

• SB Reading task on pp.58-9

2016.03.30 Class 22

Buzz Aldrin selfie from 1966

Today we talked about our focus for Term 3, which I suggested be doing FCE practice exercises, especially from the Reading & Use of English paper, as well as the Speaking paper. Some of you requested Listening practice as well, and we'll definitely do that.

We went on to consider the topic of Science and Technology, starting by viewing and talking about a short film called Aspirational (below). We then continued with the topic in Unit 8 in the SB, doing the reading and vocabulary exercises on pp.64-65.

Later we looked quickly at the passive voice in exercise 2 on p.67 (note that your homework is to do exs. 3, 4 and 6 on that page). Later we practice Speaking section 4 using p.68 and a part 4 in Cambridge video on YouTube. We ended class by doing a Kahoot quiz on social media.

Homework:

• SB p.67 exs. 3, 4, 6

ASPIRATIONAL from Matthew Frost on Vimeo.

2016.03.16 Class 21

TED Talks

Today we had a short class from 15:00-16:00 only, as I was available to meet with your parents from 16:00-17:30. You did a short practice test with a Reading part 1 and Use of English part 1 section from the exam. These practice tests are really important not only for preparing for the exam, but also as a measure of how ready you are. 





Homework:

• Do the practice exam I handed out to you either today or in Class 20. If you missed both Class 20 and Class 21, you can download it from the Cambridge English website. It's test 2. I'm not going to collect this, but if you do it, we can review it in class and, more importantly, if you want to take the exam this year, you really need to work to prepare yourself!
• Have at least three hours of contact with English. This could be on TV, in the cinema, reading – whatever best suits you. If you don't know what do, here are a few ideas:
• LearnEnglish Teens
• TED Talks (watch videos in English! use subtitles if you have to, but try to understand some on your own)
• Voice Of America Learning English

2016.03.09 Class 20

Today we began class by discussing the homework. Understanding the solution to the mystery was difficult, so we listened to the radio broadcast together and I helped you understand it. Some of you were amazed!

We then did three parts of the Reading and Use of English paper in exam conditions: parts 3 (Word formation), 4 (Sentence transformations) and 7 (Reading). We corrected them and discussed the correct answers.

After the break, we did the geography quiz that some of you wrote in the last class, worked on the lyrics of a couple of songs and watched a short film called Lost Property on the topic of loss.

At the end of class, I gave you your reports – which you should take to your parents – and also gave each of you a practice exam (Reading & Use of English and Writing sections) to do at home over the Easter holidays. I'll be giving the same thing to the rest of you next week, but I handed these out today since many of you are going to be absent next week.

Homework:

• Nothing to hand in but you should really keep studying the vocabulary in Quizlet and/or doing practice exercises in flo-joe
• You could also read and listen to this report, which we'll talk about next class:

 Some vocabulary from the report:

1. skid row
2. thought bubble (similar to speech bubble)
3. sidewalk
4. toiletries
5. shipping container
6. fundraiser

2016.03.04 FCE Registration Information

I haven't officially recommended everyone for the exam because I don't do that until your average exam mark is about 65%. But some of you may be ready to take the exam soon after June, and so I wanted to add a link to the British Council exams schedule in case you or your parents find it useful.

Barcelona
Periodos de inscripción y convocatorias Cambridge English

2016.03.02 Class 19

Today we began by reviewing your homework (SB p.39 ex1), a UE4 exercise, and also did ex4 together. We then reviewed how to say some difficult numbers and did some Listening practice (L2) on p.66.

There is a lot of useful vocabulary in Unit 4. I began a list in Quizlet for you that you should study: Compact First 2nd ed. - Unit 4

After the break, we played a tourism/geography trivia game in teams and then you wrote some similar questions, which we'll use in a future class.

We finished up class by recapping the film The Way Way Back a bit, as several weeks had passed since we last watched some of it, and then watched another 10 minutes of the film.

Homework:

1. Study these lists in Quizlet:
1. Unit 4
2. Harrison Bergeron (if you haven't read the story, look for the link in Class 17)
2. Read the brief description news article below, which describes something that happened in western North America, as well as the different solutions people proposed to the mystery. Then listen to the video to find out what the answer to the mystery is. Explain it in writing on a small piece of paper to hand in to me, or, if you prefer, write your answer in the comments - please just don't use your surname in your answer.

Why are severed feet washing up in Pacific Northwest?

Since 2007, sixteen detached human feet, all clad in running shoes, have been found on the shores of British Columbia and Washington State, including two grisly findings in the past month.

The mystery has prompted many to speculate wildly on their origins: from natural disasters like the 2004 tsunami, to organised criminals using the coast as a dumping ground, or maybe a serial killer with foot fetish.

To set us straight, and provide an answer to the mystery, we spoke to Barbara McLintock from British Columbia's Coroner's Office.

(from http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03l0w36)

2016.02.24 Class 18

Today we began by reviewing your homework. We also did the exercises 4 and 5 on SB p.37. You should study the verb forms in the appendix for unit 4 on p.106 (-ing or infinitive).

We then turned to the story that you were to read the first page of for homework. After going through page 1 together, you identifed vocabulary to learn,

In the computer room, we worked on Quizlet. I asked you to add words and definitions to a list that I started:

1. Harrison Bergeron

We then checked out a science fiction game called Samorost 2. You worked in pairs to advance in the game, using two computers:

1. Computer 1: used to play the game
2. Computer 2: used to read the walkthrough

Homework:

1. go on reading Harrison Bergeron (p.2)
2. study the vocabulary on Quizlet

Here is a 3 minute bio ('biography') of the author Kurt Vonnegut's life on Youtube:

2016.02.17 Class 17

After reviewing your homework and jokes, we worked in the book, working on the grammar on SB p.36 ('too' and 'enough') and practiced using it in the speaking exercises on that page. I gave each of you individual feedback on your speaking. Remember that in the FCE, you are not only evaluated on your grammar and vocabulary, but also on how you interact with your partner.

After the break, you had a debate on vegetarianism vs. meat-eating and did a dictation and trivia quiz which involved numbers which are difficult to say in English. I also gave you a story to begin reading (see homework below) and we watched a few minutes of the film.

Homework:

• read page 1 of the story Harrison Bergeron
• SB p.37 ex 2 and 4

2016.02.10 Class 16

Today I handed back the compositions you wrote for part 2 of the Writing test. Many of you got failing marks for this task simply because you didn't follow the instructions. It's a real shame to fail a task that you could easily have passed simply because you didn't read the instructions!

Today we worked in Unit 4 of the new book. We worked through pages 32-33 of the SB, which involved vocabulary and Reading part 6 practice.

We then did a series of activities related to film (a brief bio of Daisy Ridley) and numbers ('Massive numbers'). Finally, you did a quiz on part 2 of the Use of English that you had on the most recent exam.

Homework:

• bring a (clean) joke to tell to the class
• bring ideas for a debate
• SB p.33 ex 6 and 7

2016.02.03 Class 15

Today we reviewed the exams that you've done over the last couple weeks and did some activities to practice for the Speaking paper. You also collected all your grades into a table so that you can easily track your own progress. Finally, we continued with the film.

2016.01.27 Class 14

Today the first thing we did was review the results from the Reading and Use of English practice exam from last week. Most people did much better in the Use of English, but a little bit worse in the Reading paper. We reviewed the answers to parts 1 and 2 of the Use of English, and will do the rest next week.

Later we continued with the practice exam – you did the full Listening test. We also played a game related to the Speaking paper.

After the break, you did re-ordered sentences to make a book review and then we continued with The Way Way Back.

Homework:

• Do Writing part 2 – I strongly prefer you do the Review, as we looked briefly at that in class.

2016.01.20 Class 13

Today we warmed up by doing a speaking activity designed to help you prepare for Speaking part 2 and then quickly moved on to doing a mock Reading & Use of English exam.

The average results for the Use of English were 49% and for the Reading 57%. That is a good improvement over the results in November, though still a bit shy of where you ought to be before taking the exam.

After the break, you finished the exam and then recapped The Way Way Back, the film we began in class last week – we reviewed the names of the main characters, what the relationships between them are and how they seemed to be as people. We then continued with the film, watching about 20 minutes more.

By the way, I also added the words that some of you handed in from the Winter holiday reading homework to the list in Quizlet.

Homework:

• Writing part 1 (essay) of the mock exam I gave you. Please review pp.88-89 in the SB, as well as my comments on the essays you wrote in term 1, before writing your essay. But once you start writing, don't consult any other materials.

2016.01.13 Class 12

To get back into things in the new year, we did a Post-holiday activity at one point in which you had to come up with the questions to some answers.

We also discussed the mid-year Assessment, which is essentially a nearly complete FCE exam that you'll be completing in the next few classes. Your grade on this will give us a sense for how ready you are to take a real exam or not. Remember that it's essential for you to have contact with English and to study outside of class - just coming to class is no guarantee that you'll be ready for the exam by the summer.

Writing - stories
We went over some general comments on the stories that you handed in to me in Class 10:

1. The first line of the story should be integrated into the story, not separate in any way.
2. Paragraphs are essential! You will almost certainly get a mark lower than 3 for a story with inappropriate paragraphing.
3. A story that takes place over years is probably more difficult than a shorter-term one.
4. Be specific! Use examples and descriptive words. For example, instead of saying 'She was beautiful and kind', you could say 'She turned heads wherever she went, yet she treated everyone with kindness.'
5. Beware of run-on sentences and comma splices. Look under Useful links on the right side of this page for explanations and exercises.

Reading (homework over the holidays)

We talked about the story you were assigned to read for homework, as well as the vocabulary that you found when you read it. You should study the vocabulary from the reading, which we'll put into Quizlet soon.

FCE Speaking

We also talked about Speaking parts 1 and 2, practiced some questions from part 1 in class and watched a video of an exam on Youtube.

We also watched the first 12 minutes of The Way Way Back, the film which we'll be watching in short segments over the next several weeks.

Some vocabulary to note from the beginning of the film:

• on a scale of 1 to 10
• This is it!
• to fall off the wagon
• my ride
• She's a walking mood.
• a lazy eye
• Screw that!

Homework: none - enjoy! Just be ready for an exam in the first part of class in the next two weeks.