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Hey there! How are you doing? On Thursday Laura and me were on our way back home after class and we were discussing the advantages of enjoying a movie in its original version. Our suggestion is: after finishing class, eat something for lunch nearby plaça molina (if you bring your own food we can all have lunch at my place which is located on our way to Verdi) and then watch the film at 16h. some options to choose from are the new Woody Allen's or "How much does your building weight, Mr. Foster?"

I know somebody may have to attend classes or go to work at that time so any opinion will be welcomed as long as we eventually go altogether to the cinema.

P.S.: Of course, the teacher is more than welcomed! LOL

Laura's link

October 7th

Hi everyone,

Today we started with a sample of part 1 of the reading comprehension. As I said the other day, this is a very useful exercise (in my opinion) to begin class with as it opens up a lot of often unfamiliar vocabulary.

At the same time I discussed your corrected/highlighted compositions with you and we talked about aspects of your writing to focus attention on.

After that we did another part 1 of the RC, this time from the coursebook. One of your homeworks is to complete that reading paper from test 2 in the book.

Then we finished the first listening test which we started on Tuesday.

After that we focussed attention on summary writing from some worksheets. Your homework is to do the complete Useo of English paper from test 2, including the summary, applying the strategies that we discussed in class.

Remember that there is no class on Tuesday (not hard to remember I guess).

Enjoy your loooong weekend.

Roger

October 5th 2010

Hi everyone,

Just a quick reminder of what we did today.

1. We used the coursebook to get some more practicce with part 1 of the reading comprehension. And we also discussed the different aspects of vocabulary for each of the words omitted: collocation, phrasal verbs, lexical precision, parts of speech etc.
2. We then reviewed the Use of English homework from test 1 in the coursebook.
3. We did the first two parts of the listening comprehension - test 1 in the coursebook.
4. We then worked on the second part of the writing paper. We paid careful attention to the details of the question and then looked at and assessed a sample answer. Your homework was to write a review of your own. The task was to review a film set in your own country and assess how effectively the film reflected different aspects of life and attitudes in the country where it was set. It is important to include all these points in the answer. Your homework was to write your own review in response to the task.
5. Finally we focussed on part 3 of the speaking paper. Before looking at the task we did some "just a minute" practice, connecting two words, chosen at random, from a sheet.

CPE Use of English part 2: Word formation

CPE Use of English Paper Part 2

CPE Use of English Part 1 (practice)

CPE Use of English Paper Part 1

30 September 2010

Hi everyone,

Today we focused attention on the first four parts of the Use of English paper. We looked at some tips and strategies for being as well prepared as possible for the Use of English paper, and then we did examples of part 1 (the OPEN CLOZE exercise), and part 2, (the WORD FORMATION exercise).

We also reflected on the importance of READING as preparation for all parts of the Use of English. I made a suggestion about stategies for reading with a view to improving USE of ENGLISH competence. It is a good idea, when you are reading text either directly connected with the course or outside the course, to think of it not only as a VEHICLE OF COMMUNICATION, but also as a LINGUISTIC OBJECT. If you read an article, a story or even a book for information and to engage with the content, it is a good idea to read at least part of it again specifically for the language that you can learn from it. Highlighters are very useful tools in this regard. Use this tool (or the highlighting features of your word processing software) to take note of interesting/useful/striking examples of afixation, collocation, phrasal verbs, set phrases, unfamiliar meanings of familiar words, etc.)

We also focused on part 2 of the speaking paper of the exam. This is the part which involves interaction on the basis of visual input (either drawings or photographs). We noticed that this second part is divided into two sections: first a ONE-MINUTE conversation about two of the pictures, and then a longer discussion referring to all the pictures, with a specific communicative objective.

I will upload the documents for both parts of the class into two separate new posts.

Hi everyone,

Ignasi has just asked me a question about the websites that are available for reading purposes. Here are some of the British media websites that I usually recommend.

www.bbc.co.uk
www.guardian.co.uk

In fact, here is a website where you can find virtually all of them"

Today's class

In today's class we looked at an overview of the whole CPE exam, and completed a text with some basic information about it.

Then we looked specifically at the first part of the Reading comprehension paper. We looked at the procedure for completing the three short texts with one word for each gap, to be chosen from four possible options. We tried a sample of one of these exercises. We noticed the importance of identifying the kind of word required in each case. In other words: is it an example of collocation? Is it part of a phrasal verb? Is it part of an idiom or set phrase? What part of speech is it?

Then we looked at the first (compulsory) part of the writing paper. We looked at two sample questions, and we discussed some aspects of what the examiner might expect in each case. Then we looked at a sample answer, and found examples in it of the kind of thing that makes a good answer to part 1 of the Writing paper. Then I set another part 1 question for homework. (for next Tuesday)

Bear in mind the criteria that examiners use to decide whether a composition is good or not:

CONTENT:
Does the text answer the question? Does it address all the relevant points?
REGISTER:
Is the style appropriate for the type of text which it is supposed to be?
VOCABULARY RANGE AND ACCURACY:
Is there a good range of vocabulary, or is the vocabulary very simple? Are the words precisely correct for the context? Are they correctly spelt?
GRAMMAR RANGE AND ACCURACY:
Is there an attempt to use less simple structures? Is the grammar accurate?
ORGANISATION:
Is the text adequately divided into paragraphs? Are the sentences and the paragraphs cohesive, with adequate use of linking phrases?
FORMAT:
Is the format appropriate for the kind of text that it is supposed to be?
EFFECT ON THE READER:
Would the reader understand the main points adequately? Does the text hold the readers interest?

The Proficiency Course

Welcome to the course

Hello everyone,

It was good to meet you all this morning. I hope you all enjoy the course and find it helpful in your preparation for the CPE exam in December. Keep an eye on the blog for (hopefully) regular updates and links. It will be possible for you to use this blog as a forum for a discussion, and as a platform for uploading resources which you find helpful and which you would like to share with the others.

Best wishes

Roger