HAVE FUN WITH ENGLISH C1

As most language learners and teachers know, all our languages are mapped to CEFR ( Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ) levels, which means that wherever we are in the world, we have standard levels in common for learning a new language.  CEFR levels are based on CAN-DOs that describe what speakers can do at a particular stage of their learning process. So, we know exactly what we can undertake at each specific level, whichever language we might be learning. Isn't that cool?  At C1 , you are supposed to be able to accomplish a wide variety of complex tasks effectively. Yet, how effective do you think you are? Have you enrolled in the right course? What exactly can you do at this stage of your learning? Let's find out! 

Have you ever wondered how to survive the C1 speaking test without killing yourself in the process? Not only can you survive, but you will also definitely succeed if you follow the steps in the presentation below. Top tips and tricks to do great and get your certificate... as easy as rolling off a log! 

As a teacher, I am particularly interested in finding a balance between education technology and more traditional teaching methods. I am deeply concerned about using technology as an empowering tool to increase students' engagement and retention and enhance significant learning in class. But am I going too far with it? Am I shaping technology to my teaching style or is it just the other way round? I have asked my C1.2 students to prepare their initial assessment monologue on the issue. Their performances will  help me assess their level and also find out what their real motivations are and how suspicious they can be on using technological devices in class. I will also use their contributions as a guide to my own attitude towards using technology with them! I´ll keep you informed!

Part of this week´s classes have been devoted to try and figure out how to succeed in the C1 oral test students are about to take.  Certification Exams in Galicia are held at EOIs every June and EOI teachers assess candidates according to the standards given by the Xunta de Galicia . So, what are the main goals of these standards? How can students acknowledge what they are expected to do? Analysing the grid EOI schools use to assess their oral exam and discussing the pros and cons of a monologue performance in class have both been really inspiring activities. Here is what my students came up with after discussing the statements in the oral assessment grid in groups: With these ideas on the board, students assessed each other's performances and got very stirring feedback from their peers! Most important of all, they have learned how to enhance their speeches avoiding sloppy language:

February is the second month of the year and also the shortest! with 28 days in common years and 29 days in leap years. At school it is also a time to look back and reconsider learning habits. After having been through exams, my next class is going to be devoted to revision, checking and moving forward! We will be dealing with exam results, trying to figure out why the reading comprehension test has been so hard this time when it is likely to be the easiest task of the exam. We will also try the listening comprehension task again, with the script this time, to come up with difficult vocabulary and we will also be dealing with one of the most relevant issues in the oral exam: subject - verb agreement . Most of my students seemed to have problems with singular or plural forms. To revise those, we are going to use a great quiz a colleague from Asturias has designed for English learners. I'm sure you will have no doubts at all after completing the quiz, or... will you?

Most of today's class has been devoted to identify my students' needs and to determine the starting point of the learning process we are taking this year. The results will definitely enable me to design an accurate learning plan and will provide information to develop a successful learning programme. We have already set our learning goals... believe it or not your learning has already started! If you think you need extra practice on the initial assessment game, just click on the image!Thank you so much, Anabel, for sharing the activity! You won't need an account to play but if  you want to save your results, you'll have to sign in. See you all in class!