martes, 31 de enero de 2012

MAY EXAM DATES 2010

The FINAL MAY EXAMS BEGIN ON THE 14th OF MAY.

EXACT DATES TO BE CONFIRMED.

lunes, 30 de enero de 2012

ADVANCED 2 Vocab. Grammar Answers






Vocab: Money - Answers


Grammar: Unreal Past - Answers

lunes, 23 de enero de 2012

Home-work for Week Beginning 23rd of January

INTERMEDIATE 1


1. W/B 3B
2. CD 11, 12, 13, 14
3. Monologue and Interaction preparation
4. Book Chapter 7
5. Important: Check the Reader work-card and add
the following to:

Chapter 9, Q. 4e 'Who must he come with?'

Chapter 5, Q. 2 b is missing add 'b) Mark finds his computer is missing'

ADVANCED 2


1. W/B 3C plus listening
2. S/B Vocab. P. 45 and P. 162
3. S/B Grammar P. 47 and P. 144 Unreal Pasts
4. Prepare Monologue and Interaction notes
5. CD 11, 12, 13

martes, 17 de enero de 2012

INTERMEDIATE SPEAKING EXAM ADVICE

Intermediate 1, please go HERE to read some expressions you can use in the Speaking Exams.

domingo, 15 de enero de 2012

MAY EXAM DATES FOR 2010

MAY FINAL EXAMS FOR 2012 BEGIN ON THE 14TH OF MAY.

EXACT DATES TO BE CONFIRMED. WATCH HERE!

Home-work for Week Beginning the 16th of January

ADVANCED 2


1. CD 9 and 10
2. Reader chapter 4
3. W/B All 3B plus corresponding listening
4. Prepare notes for Monologue practice.
5. S/B Grammar P. 143 and P. 41
6. Revision


INTERMEDIATE 1

1. W/B 3A
2. CD Listenings 10, 11
3. Reader chapter 6
4. Prepare notes for Monologue practice
5. Writing P.100/101 W/B
6. Revision

jueves, 12 de enero de 2012

ADVANCED 2 ASSESSMENT SCALE DETAILS

Please have a look at the following assessment scale which will be used to assess your oral exam in Jan./Feb. and in May/June.

Note the percentages:
40% Monologue
60% Interaction


TAREA EXPOSITIVA 40 Puntos (Monologue)


CONSIGNA
6 Cubre ampliamente el objetivo de la comunicación, ajustándose al tiempo establecido y trata
todos los puntos de la tarea con detalle.
4 Cubre el objetivo de la comunicación, ajustándose al tiempo establecido y trata todos los
puntos de la tarea.
3 Consigue el objetivo de la comunicación de manera suficiente y trata la mitad, o más, de los
puntos de la tarea.
2 El grado de cumplimiento de la comunicación es insuficiente y trata menos de la mitad de los
puntos de la tarea.
0 No consigue el objetivo de la comunicación y trata pocos puntos de la tarea.

ORGANIZACIÓN Y COHESIÓN
6 Produce un monólogo muy bien organizado y estructurado, y utiliza con corrección una gran
variedad de conectores y marcadores del discurso.
4 Produce un monólogo correctamente organizado y estructurado, y hace un uso apropiado de un
conjunto de conectores y marcadores del discurso.
3 Produce un monólogo coherente y utiliza, de manera suficiente, los conectores y marcadores
del discurso propios del nivel.
2 Produce un monólogo insuficientemente organizado, y hace un uso limitado de los conectores
y marcadores del discurso.
0 Produce un monólogo desorganizado y mal estructurado, y hace un uso muy limitado de los
conectores y marcadores del discurso.

LÉXICO
8 Utiliza un vocabulario, muy variado y preciso, adecuado a la tarea.
6 Utiliza un vocabulario adecuado a la tarea, variado y preciso.
4 Utiliza un vocabulario adecuado a la tarea, y suficiente.
2 Muestra un uso del vocabulario poco adecuado a la tarea, y limitado.
variedad de conectores y marcadores del discurso.
4 Produce un monólogo correctamente organizado y estructurado, y hace un uso apropiado de un
conjunto de conectores y marcadores del discurso.
3 Produce un monólogo coherente y utiliza, de manera suficiente, los conectores y marcadores
del discurso propios del nivel.
2 Produce un monólogo insuficientemente organizado, y hace un uso limitado de los conectores
y marcadores del discurso.
0 Produce un monólogo desorganizado y mal estructurado, y hace un uso muy limitado de los
conectores y marcadores del discurso.

PRONUNCIACIÓN
4 La pronunciación es muy correcta y la entonación muy apropiada.
3 La pronunciación es correcta y la entonación apropiada.
2 La pronunciación y la entonación son adecuadas.
1 La pronunciación es poco clara y la entonación poco apropiada.
0 La pronunciación es muy defectuosa y la entonación poco apropiada.

FLUIDEZ
4 La exposición se realiza con una gran fluidez y soltura, y con las pausas apropiadas.
3 La exposición se realiza con fluidez y soltura, y las pausas apropiadas.
2 La exposición se realiza con la fluidez y las pausas apropiadas.
1 La exposición se realiza con escasa fluidez y pausas incorrectas.
0 La exposición se realiza sin fluidez y con pausas incorrectas.

GRAMATICA
8 Utiliza correctamente una gran variedad de estructuras y formas gramaticales propias de nivel.
6 Utiliza correctamente estructuras y formas gramaticales propias del nivel.
4 Utiliza las estructuras y formas gramaticales propias del nivel, de forma suficiente.
2 Utiliza de manera insuficiente las estructuras y formas gramaticales propias del nivel.
0 Utiliza un número muy limitado, y con numerosos errores, de estructuras y formas
gramaticales propias del nivel.

REGISTRO
4 Se ajusta a la situación de comunicación durante toda la tarea y hace un uso correcto de los
marcadores del contexto social.
2 Se ajusta a la situación de comunicación durante toda la tarea con algún error en el uso de los
marcadores del contexto social.
0 No se ajusta a la situación de comunicación ni utiliza los marcadores apropiados del contexto
social.

TAREA DE INTERACCIÓN 60 Puntos (Interaction)


CONSIGNA
10 Cubre ampliamente el objetivo de la comunicación, ajustándose al tiempo establecido y trata
todos los puntos de la tarea con detalle.
7 Cubre el objetivo de la comunicación, ajustándose al tiempo establecido y trata todos los
puntos de la tarea.
5 Consigue el objetivo de la comunicación de manera suficiente y trata la mitad, o más, de los
puntos de la tarea.
3 El grado de cumplimiento de la comunicación es insuficiente y trata menos de la mitad de los puntos de la tarea
0 No consigue el objetivo de la comunicación y trata pocos puntos de la tarea.

ORGANIZACIÓN Y COHESIÓN
10 Interactúa de manera natural, respeta las normas de comunicación y emplea marcadores
variados del discurso de forma muy adecuada.
7 Interactúa adecuadamente, tiene en cuenta las normas de comunicación, y hace un uso
apropiado de los marcadores del discurso.
5 Interactúa de manera coherente, tiene en cuenta la mayor parte de las normas de comunicación
y hace uso adecuado de los marcadores del discurso.
3 Interactúa de forma poco coherente y hace un uso limitado de los marcadores del discurso.
0 No interactúa adecuadamente, ni emplea de forma apropiada los marcadores del discurso.

LÉXICO
12 Utiliza un vocabulario, muy variado y preciso, adecuado a la tarea.
8 Utiliza un vocabulario adecuado a la tarea, variado y preciso.
6 Utiliza un vocabulario adecuado a la tarea y suficiente.
4 Muestra un uso del vocabulario poco adecuado a la tarea y limitado.
0 Utiliza un vocabulario inadecuado y muy limitado para la tarea.

PRONUNCIACIÓN
6 La pronunciación es muy correcta y la entonación muy apropiada.
4 La pronunciación es correcta y la entonación apropiada.
3 La pronunciación y la entonación son adecuadas.
2 La pronunciación es poco clara y la entonación poco apropiada.
0 La pronunciación es muy defectuosa y la entonación poco apropiada.

FLUIDEZ
6 El diálogo se realiza con una gran fluidez y soltura, y con las pausas apropiadas.
4 El diálogo se realiza con fluidez y soltura, y las pausas apropiadas.
3 El diálogo se realiza con la fluidez y las pausas apropiadas.
2 El diálogo se realiza con escasa fluidez y pausas incorrectas.
0 El diálogo se realiza sin fluidez y con pausas incorrectas.

GRAMÁTICA
12 Utiliza correctamente una gran variedad de estructuras y formas gramaticales propias del nivel.
8 Utiliza correctamente estructuras y formas gramaticales propias del nivel.
6 Utiliza las estructuras y formas gramaticales propias del nivel, de forma suficiente.
4 Utiliza de manera insuficiente las estructuras y formas gramaticales propias del nivel.
0 Utiliza un número muy limitado, y con numerosos errores, de estructuras y formas
gramaticales propias del nivel.

REGISTRO
4 Se ajusta a la situación de comunicación durante toda la tarea y hace un uso correcto de los
marcadores del contexto social.
2 Se ajusta a la situación de comunicación durante toda la tarea con algún error en el uso de los
marcadores del contexto social.
0 No se ajusta a la situación de comunicación ni utiliza los marcadores apropiados del contexto
social.

miércoles, 11 de enero de 2012

ADVANCED 2 MONOLOGUES and INTERACTION examples

Here are some examples of the type of monologues and interaction you will have for the speaking exam.

MONOLOGUES

You will speak on your own for about 5 minutes on one of the following.

You are required to use vocabulary and grammar structures which we have studied. Please make use of the 'opinion' work-sheet which I gave you at the beginning of the academic year.

1. Success: Think of s successful person and what makes them successful. What are your own beliefs regarding success, in general?

2. Motivation: What or who motivates you in different areas of your life? What is your opinion of the importance of motivation?

3. Work: Think about important factors that make people happy at work. Explain your reasoning.

4. Work: Describe a job you would love to do and a job you would hate to do. Reason your answer.

5. Personality: describe some qualities that you consider negative and also qualities that you consider positive. Imagine you have to sell yourself in a job interview, describe the qualities you have to offer in order to do this.

6. Family: In the 21st century, friends are the new family. Give your opinion on this.

7. Family: Children are left too much on their own nowadays. It would be better if one parent did not work and stayed at home with the children until school age. Discuss.

8. Family: Your parents brought you up,it is your responsability to look after them when they are old. Give your opinion on this.

9. Language: People nowadays in public life should be able to speak good English. Give your opinion on this.

10. Language: A lot of schools now have bilingual programs where other subjects are taught in English. Discuss your views on this.

11.Childhood: Describe a specific incident in your childhood and how it made you feel and why you remember it so accurately now.

12.Multi-tasking: What is mutitasking? Do you think it saves time or are you probably wasting time by doing things less effectively? Discuss.

13.Time: Everyone would benefit by seeing a psychotherapist from time to time. Give your opinion on this..

14. Time: Both partners need to take the same amount of time off when they have a baby.

15. Give your opinion on this: 'Revenge Is Sweet'

16. Age: What worries you most about getting old?

17. Reading: Discuss your reading tastes. Give examples of types of writing you like

18.Life-style: Nowadays people are ruled by superficial values. Give your opinion on this.

INTERACTION

You have between 5 and 6 minutes to discuss one of the following topics together.

You are required to use vocabulary and grammar structures which we have studied.
Please make use of the 'opinion' work-sheet which I gave you at the beginning of the academic year.

Try to discuss these issues giving both sides. At times you will have to argue 'against' what your partner has said in order to extend and deepen the discussion.
The objective is to interact at conversational level, not to win a debate!

1. Life-style: In our society people are defined by how much money they earn.

2. Life-style: People today have an unhealthy interest in the lives of celebrities.

3. Work: Businesses and organisations should stop playing background music. Silence is much more relaxing.

4. Love: The institute of marriage has changed positively in this country over the last 20 years.

5. Age: Retired people have too much time on their hands. They should be encouraged to carry on working longer hours.

6. Life-style: It's only a matter of time before governments impose a complete ban on smoking and drinking.

7. Language: English programmes should stop being dubbed into Spanish.

8. Family: The family is a trap from which it can be difficult to escape.

9. Work: The longer you stay in one job, the happier you become.

10. Work: A competitive work salary is NOT an important factor as regards job satisfaction.

** Added in on 12th Jan.

Ask Yourself the following when contemplating your Speaking Exam


1.Have you used a variety of advanced grammar (especially grammar that has been studied this year)?
2. Have you used a variety of vocabulary and/or vocabulary from the book?
3.Is the content relevant? And coherent?
4.Is there fluency and good pronunciation or are you pausing a lot and interrupting the flow of language?
5.Do you use inking words and a variety of ways to given an opinion?
6.Do you sound confident and comfortable speaking in English?
7.Are you being careful not to repeat the same points?
8.Do you answer the question correctly or is the content sometimes irrelevant?

martes, 10 de enero de 2012

INTERMEDIATE 1 MONOLOGUE AND INTERACTION EXAMPLES

These are examples of the Monologues and Interaction parts of your Speaking Exam.

MONOLOGUES

You have to speak for about 2 minutes on your own
about one of the following.
You need to use the vocabulary and grammar studied in class.
You need to use a variety of grammar (present simple and continuous, present perfect, past simple, modal verbs, 'going to')

1. Speak about week-end activities you enjoy doing and explain why. (p. 6/8 vocab.)

2. Speak about things that make you happy and explain why. (P. 6/8 vocab.)

3. Speak about mobile phones and how you feel about them. (P. 8/9 vocab.)

4. Speak about how you relax. (P. 8,9, 10)

5. Speak about these 4 different feelings and the last time you felt these feelings : annoyed, concerned, bored and happy. (P.10, 11)

6. Speak about what you are good at/ frightened by/ fed up with now in your life and explain why. (P.10,11)

7. Speak about when you were a child and what you were keen on/ scared of/ embarrassed by and explain why. (P.10,11)

8. Speak about work - a job you have or a job you'd like to have, use as much vocabulary as possible related to work. (P. 8, 16,17)

9. Talk about food, ways to cook and things in your kitchen. What is your favourite food and why? (P.8, 18,19)

10. Talk about eating habits in your country. (P.8, 18,19)

11.Talk about sleep and your routine and what you do if you can't sleep and the reasons for not being able to sleep. (P.20, 21)

12. Talk about things that are happening now or around now in your life and if you enjoy these things or not. (P.8,9, 18, 19)

13. Talk about holidays and things that have to be done before, during and after. (P.8,9, 10, 24, 25)

14. Talk about some experiences you have had in your life (unusual or not!). (P.8,9.10,24,25...remember present perfect simple)

15. Talk about a place that you recommend to visit in your country explaining why we should visit this place. (p. 8,9, 10, 30, 31)

16. Talk about a film or book or show you recommend and explain why you recommend them. (P. 8,9, 10, 30, 31)

17. Talk about travelling and the advantages and disadvantages of travelling alone or with other people. (P. 8, 9, 10,24, 25, 26,)

18. Talk about one of the best holidays you have had explaining why it was the best holiday. (P. 8, 9, 10, 24, 25, 26)

19. Speak about what is your favourite season/day/celebration and give reasons why. (P. 6, 7, 8, 9)

20. Speak about a favourite childhood memory and why it is a favourite memory. (P. 8, 9, 10)


INTERACTION

You have about 3 minutes to interact together.

You need to interact together - asking questions, answering, responding, suggesting, recommending,advising etc

1. You already know some things about your partner, ask 4-6 questions using question tags to check information about your partner. Take it in turn to do this. When it is your turn, respond to the question tag questions. (P.12, 13)

2. Work together to plan to run a company with good working conditions. (see modal verbs p. 17 and work vocab. p. 16 and 17 and p. 8)

3. Imagine you don't know your partner, find out about their hobbies, friends, job, studies, plans for the future and their last holiday and reasons for learning English. (P.6, 7, 8)

4. One of you likes ready made meals, the other prefers home cooking. Discuss your reasons and compare and contrast. (P. 8, 18, 19)

5. Ask each other questions and respond to questions about your holidays and the things you do before, during and after the holidays. (P. 8, 9,10, 24,25,26, 30)

6. Ask each other questions and respond to questions about your work/studies. (P. 8, 9, 10, 16, 17)

7. One of you has a problem, the other must give advice. Show concern, ask for advice, respond and react to advice and decide on a conclusion to the problem. (P. 8 22, 23)

8. One of you asks for a recommendation e.g. a film to see, the other recommends or not recommends some films and you respond to the recommendation and arrive at a conclusion. (P. 8, 30, 31)

9. One of you asks for a recommendation e.g. a place to visit, a place to stay, a book to read etc, the other recommends or not recommends and you respond to the recommendation and arrive at a conclusion. (P. 8, 30, 31)


10. Talk to each other about a timeline of your life. (see page 27) and ask each other questions about each other's timeline.

11. Choose a place/country you know well and recommend it to your partner, then respond to the recommendation. (P. 8, 30, 31)


This is the ASSESSMENT SHEET
I will use to give you a grade in the Speaking Exam.


PRONUNCIACIÓN ( 2 puntos)


2 NO PRESENTA PROBLEMAS GRAVES DE PRONUNCIATION. FÁCIL DE ENTENDER.
1 ENTENDIBLE, AUNQUE CON ALGUNOS PROBLEMAS DE PRONUNCIACIÓN.
0,8 LOS PROBLEMAS DE PRONUNCIACIÓN REQUIEREN DE ATENCIÓN CONCENTRADA.
0 MUY DIFÍCIL DE ENTENDER DEBIDO A LOS PROBLEMAS DE PRONUNCIACIÓN.

GRAMÁTICA ( 2 puntos)


2 PRESENTA MUY POCOS ERRORES DE GRAMÁTICA QUE NO INTERFIEREN CON LA COMPRENSIÓN DEL MENSAJE.
1 PRESENTA ERRORES OCASIONALES QUE NO INTERFIEREN CON LA COMPRENSIÓN DEL MENSAJE.
0,8 PRESENTA ERRORES CONSTANTES DE GRAMÁTICA QUE INTERFIEREN CON LA COMPRENSIÓN DEL MENSAJE.
0 LOS ERRORES GRAMATICALES IMPIDEN LA COMPRENSIÓN DEL MENSAJE.

CONTENIDO ( 2 puntos)


2 SUFICIENTE CREATIVIDAD Y ORGANIZACIÓN DEL CONTENIDO.
1 RAZONABLE CREATIVIDAD Y ORGANIZACIÓN DEL CONTENIDO.
0,8 MODERADA CREATIVIDAD Y ORGANIZACIÓN DEL CONTENIDO.
0 POCA CREATIVIDAD Y ORGANIZACIÓN DEL CONTENIDO.

FLUIDEZ ( 2 puntos)


2 CONVERSACIÓN FLUIDA; FÁCIL DE ENTENDER
1 CONVERSACIÓN LEVEMENTE AFECTADA POR PROBLEMAS DE FLUIDEZ Y ENTONACIÓN QUE NO IMPIDEN LA COMPRENSIÓN.
0,8 CONVERSACIÓN BASTANTE AFECTADA POR PROBLEMAS DE FLUIDEZ Y ENTONACIÓN; DIFÍCIL DE ENTENDER,
0 CONVERSACIÓN INTERRUMPIDA POR PAUSAS FRECUENTES Y VACILACIONES. INCOMPRENSIBLE.

VOCABULARIO ( 2 puntos)


2 AMPLIO CONOCIMIENTO Y USO DEL VOCABULARIO
1 RAZONABLE CONOCIMIENTO Y USO APROPIADO DEL VOCABULARIO
0,8 MODERADO CONOCIMIENTO DE VOCABULARIO A VECES LIMITA LA PRODUCCIÓN DEL MENSAJE.
0 ESCASO CONOCIMIENTO DE VOCABULARIO LIMITA LA PRODUCCIÓN DEL MENSAJE.

Advanced 2 CD 2 Answers

NA2
CD2
Key

1
1 rock and roll music and cars
2 over 100 Cadillacs
3 express trains
4 the Beach Boys
5 the car
6 narrow, twisting lakes
7 “Imagine”
8 biggest/largest

2
1 8 o’clock
2 £15,50
3 most famous tragedies
4 £5
5 in the courtyard
6 about an hour and a half
7 children under 16
8 £5

3
1 about 100 miles
2 sunset
3 sleep near the summit
4 extra oxygen
5 two
6 at first sight
7 tents and equipments
8 very fast
9 satellite phone links

4
1F 2B 3A 4G 5D
6B 7D 8E 9A 10G

5
1 Britain
2 surface area
3 thin layer
4 equal parts
5 (imported) bonsai soil
6 nutrient
7 (the time) autumn (arrives)
8 the same species
9 1cm (wide)
10 reposition branches

6
1 mermaids and (sea) monsters
2 coffee/about a quarter of an hour
3 seafood
4 Pre-Roman towers
5 Plaza Hotel
6 10.30 pm
7 (about) 2 hours
8 Meal vouchers

7
1 Breakfast Magazine
2 advises and informs
3 tennis camp
4 French and Chinese
5 employment and financial
6 Tuesday (morning)
7 an appointment
8 ground
9 (Barford) 22446

8
1A 2E 3F 4C 5D
6E 7A 8C 9H 10F

9
1 handwritten
2 documents
3 autographed document signed
4 has passed away
5 particular events
6 wait outside
7 fan clubs
8 letter or photograph
9 genuine

10
1 £12 million
2 over 3 years
3 £250 a year
4 recycled
5 filter and purify
6 lightening
7 25% (at least)
8 natural (building) materials

11
1 electronic means
2 computer discs
3 distort/change
4 traditional musical instruments
5 mechanical
6 (intensely) personal
7 replace
8 performer
9 electronic instruments

12
1F 2D 3G 4A 5B
6G 7A 8F 9C 10D

13
1 warm-up (session)
2 exercise suite
3 dance and movement studio
4 basketball (drills and skills)
5 netball
6 level 3
7 weight-training
8 (heated) pool

14
1 suspicious
2 76 million
3 non-wild plants/crops
4 allergens/proteins
5 (clear) labeling
6 weed killers
7 genetically-modified
8 (most) Europeans’

15
1C 2A 3C 4B 5D 6A