The whole test lasts approximately 40 minutes, plus an extra of 5 for you to copy your answers onto the answer sheet. Comforting, isn’t it? You might think that 40 minutes is not a major engagement. It should be over by the time you even realise you are taking a test per se. Well, wonderful, let’s now imagine listening to completely uninteresting information (i.e. an interview with a supposedly famous paleontologist for almost an hour) while also trying to pay attention to the subtleties, to grasp them and to not let ourselves distracted by the impressive amount of useless information that we need not focus on in order to answer the questions correctly. So there, endurance and focus! The two main coordinates. Now that we have got you into the proper mood let’s take a look at the structure.

Which are the items involved in the paper?

• There are four parts, which are distinct from one another in terms of what they ask of you and your knowledge and comprehension of the English language.

• In Part 1, you listen to three short extracts on the basis of which you have to choose one of the multiple choice answers to the six questions in total. Now, if my maths is correct, that would make a set of two questions on each extract.

• In Part 2, the name of the game changes completely and you move from answering multiple-choice questions to filling in information into the blanks of a gapped text. Needless to say, the recording is different from the text you see on paper, since the excerpt is a summary of the interview/ conversation you listen to. There will be eight such gaps.

• In Part 3, you will be presented with a longer listening recording on which you have to answer six multiple-choice questions.

• In Part 4, the same set of 5 recordings are divided on your paper into two separate tasks. Each task contains 5 questions in which you have to match a statement with the right speaker. Of course, there will be eight statements and only five speakers on the recording. So, there will be room for reasoning which statement fits each speaker best. And then you start over, only with a different set of statements, but you get to listen to the same speakers again.

• A point worth noting is that each part will be played back to you twice.

• Another interesting detail is that you have between 20 to 45 seconds, before each part, to skim through the text on your paper and expect what is coming your way.

What are you to do regarding the strategy of approaching the tasks?

• When you listen to dialogues, try to differentiate between speakers’ beliefs and opinions, read the question again and find out who it is referring to. Keep your cool and be precise!

• When you are confronted with the gapped text in Part 2, read it before, however boring it may seem, in order to know what type of information you ought to expect. Are you supposed to fill in a year, an sum of money, a noun, an adjective or what exactly? Be Sherlock and be good at it. Any detail matters when it comes down to several suspects you have for each gap.
  

• You may hear more than one word that might fit each gap. Listen again, why don’t you? It will all clear up the second time around, don’t worry. That is the very reason you get a second shot at the recording. Nobody is trying to trick you purposefully, so do not trick yourself into thinking whatever works.

• Also, in part 2, even if your text is different from the recording,the words you are suppose to fill in will be explicitly heard on the tape. Nothing is relative, but your way of interpreting things. In order to avoid misunderstandings read the tips above.

• For the multiple choice parts and questions, the second time you listen is the time when you finally choose the best suitable answer. If nothing indicates towards one in particular, try to eliminate the wrong ones. The bad seeds will be cast aside, if you can overrule the distractors, the elements which appear to be correct, but show inconsistencies with either the question, or the recording.

• Part 4 is all about multitasking. It is the only part when you cannot simply check your answers the second time you listen. Both times should be active on your part. Since there are two sets of five questions each involved, but only 5 recordings, it is recommended that you solve them in turns. Trying to focus on too many pieces of information at the same time you listen for what should be specific information can be misleading. Do not try to catch several pigeons with the same sling. All in due time, and one at a time. Of course, in time and with due practice you will develop skills that will enable you to focus on both tasks equally on the first listen. Patience and work! Those are the main ingredients!

• As general wrap-up advice, naturally, I am recommending continuous attention throughout the 40 minutes and, most importantly, that you use those few seconds before each part begins wisely and actually scan the text once.

• All parts are played back twice. Do yourself a favour and listen actively, even if you think you did perfectly the first time around. We all make mistakes, few of us actually take second chances to correct. Be the chosen few!

• At the end you will have five minutes to copy your answers onto the answer sheet so, during the test, try not to fling papers around. Also, when the time is up, make sure you only copied the correct answers and did not make any mistakes.

This is all for now on the Listening Paper! It is now your turn to open those Practice Tests books and insert those CDs, in order to put any piece of advice you find most useful to good use. Play buttons pressed and fingers crossed!

CONCURS:

Profita de ocazia unica de a participa GRATUIT
la workshop-ul DESTINATION UK!

Cum poti sa faci asta? Simplu!

Participa la concursul nostru de LIKE/SHARE si in 3 zile strange cel mai mare numar de LIKE-uri la postarea legata de evenimentul Destination UK.
Promoveaza-ne pe pagina ta personala de Facebook, tag-uieste Shakespeare School si vei afla gratuit informatii care ti-ar putea schimba viitorul!

Trebuie sa urmezi 3 pasi simpli:

1. Intra pe www.facebook.com/shakespeareschool si devino FAN-ul nostru dupa care zi-ne de ce vrei sa devii student in Marea Britanie
2. Da SHARE concursului si fa rost de cat mai multe LIKE-uri de la prietenii tai.
3. Fa un TAG cu numele paginii noastre ca sa te lauzi cu cate LIKE-uri ai strans.

Grabeste-te!
Participantul cu cele mai multe LIKE-uri va fi castigatorul unui loc gratuit la workshop-ul Destination UK!

English is your WAY TO SUCCESS!
Get motivated! 
Ready, steady, gooooo!!

What is there in the paper?

• First of all, you might want to know that there are five parts to the paper and the solving part should take you no more than 60 minutes. Let us do a simple maths calculation, shall we? Five parts, 50 questions, 60 minutes. It seems fair enough, you have a tad over a minute for each question. Look on the bright side, at least you won’t get bored!

• In Part I you are presented with a gapped text and for each gap you have to choose among four multiple-choice options.

• In Part II, the gapped text is back! Only now, the options are gone and you have only yourself to rely on when filling in the blanks.

• In Part III, you’ve guessed it! The gapped text strikes again! You are also given a stem-word for each gap and you have to change it and transform it in order for it to best fit the gap.

• Part IV brings another challenge to the table. You are given three sentences for each question, out of which one word has been removed. One word to fit three contexts, one ring to rule them all! The preciousssss!

• Part V requires you to rephrase a given sentence by also keeping a given word unmodified. It sounds a lot like equations, and indeed, A should equal B. In other words, the meaning of the rephrased sentence should have the exact same meaning as the original one.

How do you go about the matter?

• For starters, get used to learning English as chunks of language, not as isolated words.

• Try to learn as many idioms, expressions and fixed phrases as you can.

• Whenever you are dealing with a verb, find its dependent preposition (e.g. accuse somebody of). The same rule applies to adjectives, as well (e.g. proud of, interested in).

• Try solving exercises which have to do with phrasal verbs. They can be rather tricky since the wrong particle can trigger all the wrong meanings. Such a fine difference in terms of particles between put out, put off, put down. Try making up some sentences and you will see the world of difference one tiny itsy-bitsy word can make.

• I know it sounds like simply too much fun, but do practice the different shapes of the words as they change form verb, to noun, to adjective, adverb, so on and so forth.

• Check your spelling and be thorough about it. If one letter is wrong, you get no points for the questions in parts 2, 3 and 4.

• Read extensively. What better way to produce written words in context other than reading written words in context?

• Last, but not least, plan your time and practice enough as to make sure you do not run out of it by the time your moment of glory is done.

That’s all, folks! Check in next week for the tips on achieving a high score in your Listening paper and, in the meantime, drop us a line or two. Ask any questions you might have! Have a good, fruitful weekend!

How long have you been attending Shakespeare School? What is your highest English language qualification?

I’ve been a Shakespeare School student for the last 7 years. I started coming here when I was a 5th grader and I was so impressed that I never left. I can’t lie about the fact that there were times when I really felt like I wanted to quit, but I am pleased to announce that I’m over those thoughts and I’m looking forward to new courses here. The only problem is that it seems that I’ve done almost all the possible courses available but I sincerely hope to continue with the TOFEL course in autumn. My highest qualification so far would be the IELTS exam which I’ve taken on the 21st of April and for which I am still waiting for the results, but before that I took a CAE exam.

You actually attended our DESTINATION UK workshop three times. Why?   

I must say that the DESTINATION UK workshop is like a great melody you just fall in love with, you can’t help but listening to it again and again and again … If you want the whole story, then I must tell you that, I’ve never always wanted to go to university in the UK. But those thoughts started coming up to me somewhere in the 10th grade. One day, I happened to see the poster about the workshop in my high-school, so I decided to give it a go. Again, this is another great decision I’ve made. I’ll never forget the first time I went to it… the experience was so impressive, mind-blowing, new, that I felt like I wanted to do it again. So, last autumn, when the workshop took place again, I came with some of the friends I’d made at Cambridge during the summer school. We took the whole front row of course.:) The magical thing about the workshop is that it gives me the feeling that I’m already in the UK studying or at least on my way, and it makes me forget about all the silly day-to-day things and problems I have here, and feel like I am really taking a step forward in my life. Of course, the week after the workshop I am already starting to pack for university and it gets me into a trance where I feel amazing. But as 12th grade is coming soon, as well as the BAC exam and the university application, I feel that this autumn, I must go again and refresh the knowledge I have from the previous two years. I can’t help it! It’s just a marvelous experience for me and I don’t want to miss it again… Also, I do have a tendency to forget a lot, so this time, being the last time I can go, I must be extra careful.

You’ve done so many things so far, what is your biggest dream/ambition? 

Since the experience with the DESTINATION UK workshop, I feel that my life has finally got a direction and I finally feel that I have something to look forward to and concentrate, give my best at it. Most importantly, it’s not a school football championship or a local essay competition but something out of which at the end, I will really look back at it and say proudly that it helped me a lot and it changed my life. I feel that this would be the most important step for me in my future and I really want it to get done so I am concentrating on this goal only, and leaving the billionaire dreams for the others.

We would like to wish Ionut the best of luck. We are so proud of him, it is students like him that make all our efforts worthwhile. We are looking forward to getting postcards from the UK.

Daca aveti multe emotii  si va doriti sa puteti trece cu brio de de ultima proba va asteptam cu mult drag la numeroasele noastre ateliere gratuite unde veti primi nenumarate sfaturi menite sa va ajute atat cand vine vorba de examene orale in limba engleza dar iata, si in situatii de viata precum aceasta, in care trebuie sa ne aratati cat de pasionati si cat de buni cunoscatori ai limbii engleze sunteti!

In plus, nu lasati emotiile sa stea in calea reusitei voastre! Iata ce crede Bianca Petrache, participanta si castigatoare in cadrul a doua dintre editiile anterioare ale Competitiei Shakespeare School Essay Competition:

Consider ca participarea la acest concurs este benefica pentru toti tinerii care vor sa-si aprofundeze cunostintele de limba engleza si sa-si testeze limitele. Emotiile celor care vor participa vor fi mari, cred, asa cum le-am avut si eu de fiecare data, insa si aceste emotii fac parte din fiinta umana ,din viata noastra si fara ele am fi atat de saraci!

In fiecare moment premergator sau chiar in timpul interviului la care va asteptam cu mult drag si prietenie, amintiti-va ca ochii nostri sunteti cu totii invingatori si ca va admiram efortul, perseverenta si creativitatea. Participarea la un astfel de consurs releva multe lucruri frumoase despre voi dintre care poate cel mai important este dorinta de reusita!

Bianca ne-a impartasit ce a insemnta pentru ea participarea la acest concurs de creatie:

Pentru mine, castigarea unui premiu Essay Competition la Shakespeare School in anul 2010 a insemnat o reusita si m-a motivat sa particip de fiecare data cu mult interes si bucurie la acest concurs. De asemenea, pot spune ca acum am mai multa incredere in mine si stiu ca daca indraznesti sa speri, visele pot deveni realitate.

Iar la final, sfatul Biancai pentru voi este:

Tinerii vin la acest workshop cu numeroase întrebări: Cum scriu un eseu bun? Ce universitate să aleg? Mi-aș putea permite o astfel de experiență? Dacă esti elev de liceu și ți-ai pus aceste întrebări, atunci cu siguranță ești candidatul ideal pentru “Destination UK“ programul nostru profesionist de consiliere educativă care explică pas cu pas procesul de admitere la o universitate britanică.

Olivia Vicol, trainer-ul nostru, vine cu sfaturi la prima mână, direct din țara lui Shakespeare. Ea este “International Relations Student Ambassador” la Univeristy of Birmingham, și, ca parte din job, colaborează cu Admissions Officer. Ea vă va oferi cele mai bune sfaturi și vă va consilia în legătura cu tot ce trebuie să știți pentru a aplica.

Alte programe de consiliere gratuite încurajează aplicarea numai la acele universități cu care există parteneriate, în cele mai multe dintre cazuri fiind vorba de universități mai slab cotate. “Destination UK” îți explică pas cu pas întregul proces de admitere, astfel încât să ai libertatea de a aplica la orice universitate britanică. Cel mai important: drumul tău rămâne deschis și către universitățile de top! Aceste universități sunt alegerea VOASTRĂ.

Dar cum cel mai bine e să îi lași pe alții să vorbească despre serviciile pe care le oferi, credem sincer că ei sunt dovada cea mai bună că facem ceea ce trebuie. Succesul lor este dovada că aceste inițiative trebuie continuate: “Numele meu este Edina, am participat la Destination UK in Noiembrie, 2010. Am aplicat pentru universitate in Ianuarie 2011, si studiez la Leicester University psihologie din Octombrie 2011. Programul vostru mi-a dat curaj sa fac aplicatia si sa cred in posibilitatea de a studia in Marea Britanie. Informatiile pe care le-am primit de la Olivia despre viata de zi cu zi a fost de mare ajutor dupa ce am ajuns in tara. Keep up the good work.” Ionuț ne mărturisește că e elev al acestei școli și tocmai a terminat acest curs. “A fost un curs EXCEPȚIONAL. Vă spun cu toată sinceritatea că m-am interesat peste tot dar nu am găsit nicăieri ce îmi trebuie de fapt și cum să fac și cum aplic și toate lucrurile acestea. Acest curs a fost ca o mană cerească. M-a ajutat enorm de mult ca să înțeleg cum se face procedura, cum e viața în UK și tot ce există acolo. Acest program va mai exista și în primavară și vă sugerez călduros să veniți să participați și veți vedea că merită.”

“Sistemul educațional din UK are o reputație foarte bună. Diplomele pe care le obții în UK sunt recunoscute și apreciate în România și nu numai. Poți studia multe domenii profesionale, iar calitatea învățământului atinge cele mai înalte standarde. Când trăiești într-o altă țară cunoști oameni interesanți, experimentezi culturi și locuri noi, iar ce este cel mai important, devii mai independent. Voi crește intelectual, îmi voi face prieteni și mă voi întoarce mai bogat sufletește”- Andreea Caravățeanu, CN Ienachiță Văcărescu- Târgoviște.

Acestea sunt doar câteva dintre argumentele în favoarea studiului în Marea Britanie.  Cel mai des invocate motive pentru care elevii de liceu găsesc sistemul de învățământ britanic foarte atrăgător sunt: prestigiul academic, varietatea de cursuri oferite, posibilitățile mai mari de angajare la terminarea studiilor. Cu siguranță sunt și alte motive, mediul multicultural, oportunitatea de a-ți face noi prieteni din toată lumea, motivele pro-studiului în UK sunt foarte multe si variate.

Ai motivația necesară pentru a aplica la o universitate Britanică? Dacă te-ai decis să alegi acest drum, trebuie să știi că în principal ai nevoie de: 1. Rezultate bune la BAC , 2. Notă mare la IELTS/sau CAE. În afară de asta, însă, mai sunt câteva capcane și mituri pe care toți studenții care aplică pentru prima oară ar fi bine să le cunoască. De aceea organizăm programul “Destination UK” care explică detaliat fiecare etapă a aplicației, special pentru tinerii din România. Următoarea ediție a training-ului, cea din weekend-ul 19-20 Mai 2012, va avea loc în București,  la sediul Shakespeare School din strada Tokio nr. 9, sector 1. 

Cât costa? 300 RON. Prețul include taxa de participare pentru cele 2 zile, suportul de curs, pauzele de cafea, certificatul de participare la curs. Foarte important! Ai parte de reducere de 50 RON, atât dacă te înscri până la data de 5 mai 2011, cît și dacă aduci un prieten.

Mai multe detalii despre curs poți afla chiar de aici. Înscrierile au început deja, iar numărul de locuri disponibile este limitat!!

CAN you study abroad? Yes, YOU CAN!! Înscrie-te online pentru training și vei afla tot ce trebuie să știi!

Înainte de toate vrem să-i felicităm pe toţi care au ajuns până aici, pentru că efortul lor a fost unul considerabil, au avut de recapitulat tot vocabularul parcurs până acum la curs, plus exerciţii suplimentare de pronunţie, de pus literele în ordinea corectă, de descoperit greşelile, de identificat cuvântul în funcţie de imagine, sau de scris cuvinte după dictare pe litere.

Deşi competiţia există, juniorii noştri vor dobândi o serie de aptitudini care-i vor ajuta atât pe moment, dar în special pe termen lung. Dintre avantajele participării la un astfel de concurs se numără:

1. Copilul va deprinde capacitatea de a scrie corect şi de a verifica conştient posibilele greşeli dintr-un text.
2. Toţi participanţii îşi îmbogăţesc considerabil vocabularul, ei fiind la vârsta când asimilează foarte mult.
3. Creşte considerabil capacitatea de înţelegere a unui text, împreună cu resursele de învăţare.
4. Copilul va şti cum trebuie să înveţe şi în timp va deveni autonom în învăţare.
5. Întrucât, în ultima rundă copilul trebuie să spună cu voce tare, în public, anumite cuvinte, lucrul acesta duce la creşterea încrederii în sine.
6. Pentru că vorbim despre o competiţie, copilul învaţă să-şi gestioneze corect emoţiile sub presiune, dar şi timpul de rezolvare a exerciţiilor.

Iar ca să nu mai prelungim suspansul, vă prezentăm mai jos şi lista completă a calificaţiilor în Runda a III-a, din toate sediile Shakespeare School:

Juniori 2: GHERGUŢ DAVID, CIOBOTARU TUDOR, GRIGORIU RUXANDRA, GURAN ANA, ANGHELUŢĂ MIHNEA, ROCSIN ROXANA, LĂZĂRESCU MARA, BARBU DIANA, COMAN TUDOR, GRUMĂZESCU AMALIA, DINU TEODORA, ANDREI NICOLETA REBECCA, VASILE ANDREI, DINU ANDREI, MAER CORIN RAMON, PREDA LUCA IOAN, ADOREAN SONIA, COCOVEANU ANA, FARCASIU DARIAN, MOISE THEODORA.

Juniori 3: GROSU ALEXANDRU, URZICĂ KARINA, DINCĂ ALEXANDRA, IONESCU DARIA, CORNEA HORIA MATEI, POPA IRINA, TALCHIU VLADA MELISA, ŞTIRBU ANCA, VLAD COSTIN ANDREI, RADOI CARMEN, MOCANU ALEXANDRU, CĂRUŢAŞU ALEXANDRU, ANICA PETRU, IONESCU TUDOR, BOTOFEI DAMIAN, DRAGUCIAN ANA STEFANIA, MAZILU DARIA, GLODARIU ANA, TURTOI CLARA, CRISTEA IULIA, RADULESCU MARIA, BARBU  ANDREEA, TERIS ANA MARIA, GROSU CRISTIAN

Juniori 4: CONSTANTIN MONICA, MĂRĂCINE DENISA, DRAGNE VLAD, RĂDULESCU ALEXANDRU, REBEGEA ANDREEA, DUMITRESCU VLAD, BULICĂ ANDREI, TELEOACĂ CRISTINA, STEGĂRESCU NICOLETA, LASCU MATEI, VĂLEANU MINA, DUMITRU IRINA, DANILOV CATERINA, DUMITRESCU ANA, DIN MARIA, STAN CRISTIAN, BĂDICA ANA, NIŢULESCU ANDREI, NEDELCU ANTONIO, TUDOR BĂLAN.

Felicitări tutror şi ne revedem în Runda a III-a!

So we are HAPPY and PROUD to find out he first thought of becoming a student in the UK when he visited Shakespeare’s country for the first time, as our IInd place winner of the 2011 edition of the Essay Competition. His big prize took him on a summer camp to Cambridge. That’s when he realized he had to go back and study there. We are happy to see our competition opened a door towards a different perspective.

Dear Mircea, when did you first start learning English? What was your biggest motivator in wanting to excel?

I would like to mention that I still consider this a mystery in itself. I remember countless events when as a first grade student I could recall basic words out of thin air, without prior knowledge. In later years, when discussing this subject with those equally interested in the English language I discovered we had one thing in common: the English  cartoons we used to watch from a very early age. When I refer to it as a mystery I do not mean inexplicable, but I call it incredible and hard to believe.Up until the age of 6, children have something informally called a ”sponge-mind”. Basically they have this ability to absorb an incredible amount of information in their continuously developing brains. This is what happened with me and some of my classmates. Our passion for animated films and TV shows drove our minds into processing, connecting and understanding the English language on a  level equivalent to a few years of English lessons in the classroom. However, this happened because we had no choice in the matter as the only cartoons we could watch were those without Romanian subtitles. I know that a few years back, they decided to remove any kind of subtitles and add Romanian audio over the English one. This, in my honest opinion, was a mistake. A toddler or  any young child should be given the option to explore the world in his own way, not to be guided through what is considered ”right” for him. One should have the option of not only English animated TV shows but also French, or even Chinese. It develops the brain to adapt to the world of today, a globalized one in which linguistic knowledge is the key to success. 
In regards to the motivator, there is one wise saying:  ”You enjoy to know more about what you know most” – because knowledge creates love for the subject-matter and love for the subject-matter inspires desire of more knowledge about it. I guess it’s more of an “unvicious” cycle. But of course, I will always remember my English teachers. They are the pillars on which I built everything I know and I acknowledge that without them I wouldn’t have acquired the knowledge or passion for the English language.

What is the most interesting experience you’ve had in Lancaster? Tell us something about your student life.

This is a tough one. I am not much of a party-goer so most of my time is spent on more intellectually satisfying activities. With the exception of all the great moments spent with my close friends I could mention scenes from the academic environment. As a Psychology student I participate in psychological experiments, helping the third year students in their dissertations or professors in any projects they create. One time, I participated in an experiment where the aim was to recall words previously seen on a computer. After recalling them I was presented with them again. The aim of this one was to test the hypothesis that humans are psychic and future-seers. I guess this perfectly describe the anecdotal stereotype that psychologists are crazier than their own patients. Another time I was invited to take part in an eye movement tracking experiment. It was a very interesting experience to see how instinctively my eyes move in one direction with only a word as a clue. But of course, the machine tacking my eye movements was it itself fascinating. One recent memory is getting my first A in an essay. The idea behind the academic study of any subject is simply learning from mistakes. Thus, we were told nothing of how to write our first essay, not even general guidance. As you can imagine, everybody was disappointed with their grades but the idea supporting this was not to give up, but to try even harder next time.  On my second try I got it perfectly right and I understood that the British system not only allows for originality (not giving one barriers to begin with) but also for strong empirical evidence because no matter how powerful, words can fly away, but with strong proof supporting them, they will remain firmly grounded.

What is your next career step?

I ask myself the same question everyday. In the past couple of years I have been teaching English as a hobby. I find great satisfaction in helping those who genuinely need help. I want to make the world a better place, one helping hand at a time. Aside from this, I wish to continue studying my current major, Psychology and Criminology. There is no easy answer for such a question, but only to continue doing what I love and to hope that what I do will be appreciated by someone, somewhere.

You can only be successful with this type of attitude towards life and everything it throws back at you. Mircea has worked his way forward, he grasped every opportunity there was and never gave up on his dreams. Here at Shakespeare School, we are happy to hear we opened at least one of the doors for him, through our Essay Competition. Good luck in everything you do and never cease trying to become your best self.

WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL CAE SPEAKING PART 3?

• You ought to know that this part of the test is also called The Collaborative Task, as you will have to talk to your partner and discuss together a set of 6-8 pictures. How much time have you got on your hands? Oh, about 4 minutes… You are also guided in your talk by two questions that the interviewer addresses you two with. Do not panic, you will be able to see the photographs and the questions at all times during Part 3, as they are all printed out for you on a visual prompt (also known as the sheet of paper the interlocutor places before your eyes).

• Make sure you and your partner actually communicate, meaning that you speak to one another, not at one another, that you ask and answer questions back and forth and that you actually pay attention to your partner’s words. This way, you avoid having two monologues happening, rather than a dialogue.

• Also, keep in mind, you are not supposed to describe the photos, but to express an opinion about each of them, in relation to the first question that the examiner kindly threw your way.

• It is, therefore, only natural that one of the two (you or your partner) should initiate conversation: Would you mind if I started? (Ok, so you’re self-focused, but at least you asked politely) or Would you like to start? (and now watch your partner’s jaw slowly, but surely, drop)

• Let’s say you are taking the floor and you begin to speak. First, you ought to choose a photograph, about which you express an opinion that is related to that first question printed on the visual prompt. Then, of course, you ask your partner to express their agreement or disagreement with regard to your viewpoint.

• Your partner briefly discusses their standpoint and then he/ she moves on to another picture. This is the moment when the procedure is restored: he/ she chooses, expresses an opinion, asks you for your input on the matter and you take the wheel once more.

• But, what about that second question?, I hear you ask. Well, save up to 30 seconds, after you have gone through all of the photographs to negotiate with your partner an answer to it, which, in other words means: reach a mutual decision, by selecting one or two pictures and motivating your choice.

• Don’t forget, though, even if there is a very limited amount of time, don’t be selfish. Do not speak more than your partner and, if he/ she stumbles, can’t find the words or simply has no idea what to say next, help out! It is both of your time you are saving by performing this kind gesture.

• In the end, the golden rule is: keep the conversation flowing! Leave no unnecessary pauses and gaps!

  WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL CAE SPEAKING PART 4?

• This final part is also called The Discussion. There are no more visual stimuli, as you had in Parts 2 and 3, and you no longer have to talk to your partner. So, there, that is probably one huge burden lifted off your shoulders. This is your final opportunity to shine, by answering the interlocutor’s questions about the same topic as you had discussed in Part 3. Now, however, you are expected to go in more depth with the subject and deliver a mini-speech. Think of yourself as a candidate to presidency. Get the examiners’ votes!

• What is the trick to delivering a convincing speech? Think of it as a paragraph you are writing and unfolding in front of your audience. What ingredients do you need?

  1. The topic sentence – the one that announces your take on the subject matter, your view, your main idea.

  2. Arguments – your ideas don’t float into thin air, they are justified, prove that they truly are! Sustain your topic sentence with 1-2 arguments.

  3. Examples – in turn, arguments can be rather abstract at times, so tie them down with an example or two. This way, your speech will be grounded and will show the true value of your use of English in speaking.

… and about a quarter of an hour later from the moment you started, you dash out the door and tell the rest of the world: I did it!

This is all for now regarding the Speaking component of your CAE exam. Come again next Thursday for tips and updates on the Use of English Paper. ‘Till then, go speak some English! After all what other better way of developing your skills, other than practising them?

Voi știați că pentru mii de instituții de învățământ superior din lume certificările Cambridge și IELTS sunt singurele acceptate? Vreți să aflați mai multe despre aceste examene internaționale?

Atunci haideți la atelierele gratuite Shakespeare School pentru a afla cum vă pot ajuta aceste certificări atât în mediul academic internațional, cât și în viitoarea carieră. Excel in English Speaking! Cu toții știm că Informația este putere, prin urmare trebuie să fi informat pentru a ști ce să faci ca să îți valorifici potențialul la maxim.

Am inițiat campania „English – your way to success” pentru cei dintre voi care încă nu știu încă în ce măsură îi poate ajuta un certificat internațional care să le ateste nivelul limbii engleze. Așadar vă așteptăm la Shakespeare School între 28 aprilie și 1 iunie 2012! 

Ca centru de pregătire pentru examene Cambridge suntem recunoscuți de CAMBRIDGE ESOL, și anual pregătim sute de candidați pentru examenele Cambridge și IELTS. În cei 10 ani de când pregătim elevi ca voi, procentul de promovabilitate a fost de aproximativ 97%. Ne dorim ca toți tinerii să realizeze importanța obținerii unui certificat internațional de limba engleză pentru o carieră de succes.  În plus, un astfel de certificat se echivalează cu proba de competență lingvistică de limba engleză din cadrul Bacalaureatului. Așadar, rezultatul va fi un certificat valoros în portofoliul educațional și un examen mai puțin la BAC.

Atelierele vor fi susținute de expertii Shakespeare School în pregătirea examenelor internaționale de limba engleză, speakeri British Council, traineri Cambridge ESOL, traineri englezi de la Cambridge University Press și Oxford University Press. Mai multe detalii despre aceștia găsiți aici.

În cadrul acestor ateliere gratuite, veți primi informații valoroase despre formatul examenelor Cambridge și IELTS, despre anumite strategii și tehnici de abordare a acestor examene, dar și recomandări privind îmbunătațirea cunoștintelor de limba engleză prin activitați plăcute.

Scrieți-ne un mail pe adresa info@shakespeare-school.ro și veniți să vă informați! Vă așteptăm cu drag!

English is Your Way to Success!!!