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