Hi everyone
Very soon thousands of English learners around the world will be taking a University of Cambridge ESOL exam, such as the FCE or BEC Vantage (B2 level) or the CAE or BEC Higher (C1 level). I’ll write in more detail again this week, but first there’s one thing I want to ask you:
Do you know what is going to be in the exam?
Do you know how each of the 4 skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) are tested? Do you know how the Use of English paper is organised? How are your marks for Speaking organised?
I know it sounds common sense but I’ve seen many people in Prague not reaching their potential because they didn’t know what was in the exam. To illustrate this, some people expect the exam to be like their Czech State English ‘Maturita’. It’s not!
How are you preparing for the FCE or CAE just now? I’ve had friends in Prague who did a lot of grammar in class without realising that grammar is just one part of the exam. If you are concentrating too much on grammar, then this may not be the best way just to maximise your mark in Reading and Listening. Even for Writing, grammar is just one criteria – you are given marks for your tone and register and how you answer the question at a more global level, amongst other things. Similarly, your ability to organise your ideas and give your opinions are important for Speaking.
So just from today I recommend you look at these links from Cambridge ESOL either by yourself or with a teacher. The links include information about the whole exam, and each part, as well as giving you some free resources which you can print out. You might need to register but it only takes a few minutes. Well worth it!
FCE: https://www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org/ts/exams/generalenglish/fce
CAE: https://www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org/ts/exams/generalenglish/cae
CPE: https://www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org/ts/exams/generalenglish/cpe
Professional English Exams (eg BEC Vantage): https://www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org/ts/exams/professionalenglish
David
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