CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH EXAMS

Cambridge English Exams for Schools.

I would like to devote this post to the resources Cambridge English provides to help students get started. It has produced a great variety of free materials such us sample papers, tips for students, worksheets, exam guides... to be downloaded.
This is the link: Cambridge free resources

Other links where you can practice the different tests online are:

http://www.examenglish.com/FCE/Use_of_English.htm
 http://www.ihbristol.com/exam/cambridge-esol-exams
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/
http://noticiascambridgeenglish.org/muestrasexamenescambridgeenglish/

More Information about Cambridge English Exams:
 http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/es/
http://www.britishcouncil.es/examenes/cambridge
http://www.cambridgeenglishteacher.org/courses
/www.facebook.com/CambridgeEnglish

Finally, I will include a clip taken from the official you tube channel of Cambridge English where you can find different videos and clips with information about learning, teaching and exams.
This clip gives the students some tips about preparing their speaking test.

THE ENGLISH WE SPEAK

The English we speak (click here )
It is a weekly podcast by the BBC that focuses on everyday phrases and idioms used by British people. Each piece of language is put into context, making it easier to understand.  Transcripts are included for anything you didn't catch. Try it by listening this three minute programme and make the English you speak sound more natural.

WHAT WE DID ON OUR HOLIDAYS

What we did on our holidays. (Film)

Brilliant tragicomedy film where diverse serious topics of life are intermingled with a big dose of humour.
It is recommended for advanced students as a good listening and pronunciation activity since you can appreciate two different accents: London and Scottish.
It is a BBC comedy starring David Tennant, Rosamund Pike, and Billy Connolly. It is directed and written by  Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin
It was filmed on location in Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands . The film was released in the UK on 26 September 2014. It has got beautiful sceneries, a lovely soundtrack, a magnificent performance and an original plot. It is definitely a must.
For more information about the film, you can have a look at the following link .
Finally, you can see a trailer of this film.

ENGLISH AROUND THE WORLD

 The importance of learning English. 

The activity I am proposing today is related to the importance of learning English and to make students realise this fact so that their motivation to learn English increases.
Before watching the presentation: " English around the world ", the teacher brainstorms some ideas from the students by asking questions such us:

1. How many people speak English around the world ?
2. What is the difference between a second language and a foreign language?
3. Do you know the countries where English is an official language ?
4. Give 4 reasons why English is considered to be an international language... 

Then, students watch the presentation and check whether their answers were correct.

Finally, they write an essay titled the importance of learning English.          ( 150-200 words ).
They can also use the information in the following link: English speaking countries

Presentación English around the world from Elena T

ART IN THE CLASSROOM

WEBQUEST AND ORAL ACTIVITY.

La actividad que voy a explicar en esta entrada tiene que ver con la enseñanza del inglés teniendo como tema transversal la asignatura de arte. Acabo de realizar un taller sobre arte especialmente pictórico que  me ha hecho reflexionar sobre la importancia de aprender esta materia y consecuentemente he elaborado una unidad didáctica cuyos objetivos son:

1. concienciar a los alumnos de la importancia de aprender y apreciar el arte.
2. aprender vocabulario nuevo relacionado con temas de arte y repasar estructuras gramaticales.
3. desarrollar el pensamiento crítico y creativo.
4. promover el trabajo cooperativo.

Es una actividad destinada a estudiantes con un nivel B1+ y alumnos de 1º y 2º de bachillerato.
La unidad didáctica que durará 3 ó 4 sesiones incluye un trabajo de búsqueda en internet sobre un cuadro y un pintor que tendrán que elegir de una lista que proporcionará el profesor.
También la actividad incluirá una presentación oral e implicará trabajo en equipo.
Podéis encontrar esta actividad descrita en detalle y en inglés en el siguiente enlace:
Art in the classroom activity

 Sugiero que esta tarea podría realizarse en colaboración con el departamento de Historia y Geografía cuando impartieran en su programación escolar ciertos temas relacionados con el arte. De esa manera podría convertirse en un proyecto interdisciplinar y culminar en una excursión a un museo o galería de arte.

 Para más información sobre la enseñanza de arte en las clases de inglés :
 Teaching art in the classroom

Finalmente, incluyo un video corto sobre la National Gallery en Londres que alberga una de las colecciones de pinturas más importantes de Europa.
 

PROYECTO DIDÁCTICO CON TICS

Presentación para la utilización de TICS en clase.

Incluyo en esta entrada una presentación que realicé describiendo un proyecto que puse en práctica con mis alumnos de 4º ESO utilizando las nuevas tecnologías:

Presentación TICS by Elena T

THINKING QUOTES

PERSEVERANCE

English is Fun