Thursday, September 30, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
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"
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?
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?
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
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
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