exams preparation for language improvement

8/13/2019 Exams Preparation for Language Improvement

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Brushing up your English via exams prepaan action plan

Higor Cavalcante


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What do we need to do know about the lang

teach?


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Teachers need to know a lot about the subject they are teaching (the Eng

() Language teachers need to know how the language works. () a kngrammar system and understanding of the lexical system. () They need

pronunciation features such as sounds, stress and intonation. () Student

expect that teachers of the English language can explain straightforwa

concepts, including how and when they are used. They expect their teach

difference between the colloquial language that people use in informal co

the more formal language required in more formal setting

Jeremy Harmer in How to te


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Among the consequences of () a limited knowledge of language are: a

part of the teacher to anticipate learners learning problems and a conseqplan lessons that are pitched at the right level; () an inability to deal sa

errors, or to field learners queries; and a general failure to earn the con

learners due to a lack of basic terminology and ability to present new la

and efficiently.

Scott Thornbury, inAbout L


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Why exams

They provide a target to aim at

They make us study harder

They make us revise what we have learned

They show other people what Imcapable of

They give me qualifications I can put on my CV

They ultimately provide a sense of achievement

Adapted from How to teach fo


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Which exams

Cambridge English: Advanced (aka CAE) CEFR C1

Cambridge English: Proficiency (aka CPE) CEFR C2


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What is tested

CAE

Reading

Writing

Use of English Listening

Speaking

CPE

Reading and Use

Writing

Listening Speaking


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Preparing for international exams

Read vastly and variedly

Study grammar

Study vocabulary

Expose yourself to a lot of English

Speak with proficient speakers

Be curious


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READING


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What should I read?

Books (varied genres)

Magazines (assorted topics)

Newspapers (different regions, various themes)

Exam-like tasks / past papers

Amount and range


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Exam sample


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WRITING


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Tell a partner

What youvewritten in the past two weeks

How much writing you normally do

Which genres you usually practice


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Practicing writing

Varied genres: letter, report, review, essay, article etc.

Good writers read vastly and variedly

Study models

Text organization (paragraphing, layout), register, range and a

lexis and syntax, punctuation, coherence & cohesion Write a lot!


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Exam sample


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LISTENING


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Improving listening skills

Study phonology

Listen to a lot of English

TV (movies, series etc.)

Podcasts, websites

www.ted.com Do exam-like tasks / past papers

Focus on language


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Exam sample


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SPEAKING


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Working on your speaking skills

Teaching (usually) wonthelp much

Practice speaking with advanced and proficient speakers

Make a conscious effort to activate new, interesting language

Suggestions: book clubs, study groups, Skype, record yoursel

Exam-like tasks


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Exam sample


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USE OF ENGLISH


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Know your grammar. And vocabulary.

You cantseparate them.

No matter what happens, I am never going to stay in that ho

UNDER

Under _______ stay in that hotel again.

Under no circumstances am I ever going to stay in that hotel


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Be sure you know all a word can mean.

The company _____ its awards ceremony in March last year.

John _____ the ladder firmly while his father painted the win

The file that was destroyed ____ some extremely important

held


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Study word formation. Understand their grammatical forms.

offend


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Study grammar conscientiously Keep a vocabulary notebook at all times. Be curious.

Do exam-like tasks / past papers

Read vastly and variedly.

Revisited previously studied vocabulary.

Make a conscious effort to put new language into use.


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Good grammar books

Advanced Language Practice, Michael Vince. Macmillan.

Advanced Grammar in Use, Martin Hewings. Cambridge.

Practical English Usage, Michael Swan. Oxford.

Grammar for English Language Teachers, Martin Parrott. Cam


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Good vocabulary books

How to Teach Vocabulary, Scott Thornbury. Pearson.

English Vocabulary in Use Advanced. Cambridge.

English Collocations in Use Advanced. Cambridge.

English Idioms in Use Advanced. Cambridge

English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced. Cambridge.


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Other good language books

About Language, Scott Thornbury. Cambridge.

English Pronunciation in Use Advanced, Martin Hewings. Ca


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Thank you!

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www.higorcavalcante.com

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Facebook: Higor Cavalcante

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