Online training opportunities

A few years ago, maybe it was difficult for some teachers to receive training and to find out about news and developments.

Nowadays, this is definitely not the case.  With the improvements in the availability and quality of internet connections, together with the range and variety of online materials and webinars on offer, there is no excuse for us to be underinformed or undertrained.  (Well, I suppose there is one problem - the number of hours in a day!!)

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I've mentioned Cambridge English TV before.  Every time I look at the youtube channel, I find more stuff.
I like the English Language Learning Tips.

(A new one - Tenses Part 2 was added just 4 hours ago)

And I regularly sign up for webinars (if I'm free at the time they're taking place) or watch recordings of them if I can't take part in the live session.

There are 24 webinars right now in the Cambridge English TV youtube playlist.

There will soon be more!  Next Monday and Wednesday, you can sign up to find out about the changes  to the Cambridge English: First and Cambridge English: First for Schools that will be coming in from January 2015.  

To register for the webinar on Monday, click on this link.

For Wednesday, click here.

Speaking Test videos for Starters, Movers and Flyers

Back in October, I sang the praises of Cambridge English TV.

In my previous post, a link to some new speaking test videos was mentioned in the January 'Enseñamos Juntos' newsletter.

I have just watched the Starters video on the Cambridge English TV youtube channel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHAnqjI4cU8&feature=youtu.be

It's a great way of showing students and teachers what to expect in the test and Olivier's answers and the examiner's reactions and responses really illustrate how candidates need to respond in each part of the test.

For example, if they have to put a small picture next to something in the big picture, then it should be next to that thing, not on it.  In that part of the test, candidates' understanding of prepositions of place is tested and the examiner can really see if they understand them well.

We can also see how the Starters Speaking Test moves from understanding and doing (pointing to things in the picture, identifying the small picture and placing it somewhere in the big picture) to speaking more about things related and familiar to the candidates (eg  What colour are the buses in Luxembourg?) to questions about the candidates themselves (eg  How old are you?, Who do you play with at school?)

And seeing the new visuals for the speaking tests, I'm impressed!  Very attractive and colourful!!

Preparation is the key - tips from the Examiners

I was busy going through the seminar I'll be giving in Bilbao tomorrow, and was checking links to speaking test videos that I'd written about before on this blog, when I came across a clip that I hadn't seen or heard about before.

3 examiners who often appear on Cambridge English speaking test videos appear in a short video giving tips to help candidates do well in speaking tests.

The tips they mention also appear on screen.

http://www.thefutureworkplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/hints1.jpg

I noted some down and am sharing them here:

Listen carefully.  (Photos)  Maintain the flow for a full minute. Know how long your answer should be.

Know when and how you have to expand your answer.  Move the interaction forward or to a conclusion.

React.  Don't be put off if the examiner interrupts.

Keep the conversation going.  Extend.  Paraphrase.  Find a way of keeping the conversation going.
Ask questions if you don't understand.

Interact.  Use eye contact and body language to encourage your partner.  Overcome nerves.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLpAmvxF3s1O2AGba5Qib5zHqGgMZvp6syaqCToNz3JQdJ4K3XZdGjOi6Pw9iXwQO_E8MmAAa3EfYhWtcbp7EkXQTng07zIgNlnXBw8imjfMMNRXUaY1LfVSiSIdOahq9fh0lYdLaqPU/s1600/EyeContact.jpg

Balance accuracy and fluency.


Some good advice!  From the examiner's mouth!

Cambridge English TV - speaking test videos, webinars and so much more!

As I said in my previous post, we Cambridge English Assessment: seminar presenters in Spain and Portugal are gearing up for a new season of seminars and conferences.  We're going to be giving more seminars in even more places.  Hope to meet some of you there!

I am starting to look at the sessions I'll be giving soon in Bilbao and San Sebastian and at the materials I'll be using.

I took a look at Cambridge English TV on youtube and found some great resources there.  Back in February, I mentioned the YLE Teaching Tips available on this Channel.  

Today, I found two speaking test videos - one for Cambridge English: Key for Schools

 and the other for Cambridge English: Preliminary for Schools.

Both show a complete sample speaking test and also provide a link to a pdf. document with comments on the Test and the candidates you see.

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/149448-ket-for-schools-examiner-s-comments.pdf

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/149446-pet-for-schools-examiner-s-comments.pdf

Teachers are always asking for examples of speaking tests to watch and to show their students.  Here you have two good examples!

Other brilliant resources on the Cambridge English TV channel are English Language Learning Tips, looking at various areas such as Tips for Listening and Speaking Tests, etc.  And recordings of webinars if you didn't catch them live.

Definitely worth a visit and saving to your playlists!

YLE Teaching Tips

I've mentioned before that I am subscribed to the Cambridge English South East Europe Blog.

This week, I've had three emails about posts describing activities submitted to a global competition run by Cambridge English Language Assessment UK and Bell which invited  teachers of English from all over the world to submit written practical teaching ideas for preparing their candidates for a range of Cambridge English examinations.

All three posts talked about suggestions for fun activities to prepare for the Cambridge English: Young Learners English Tests.

In Post 1, Natalia Cheskidova, from Russia describes an activity involving describing and drawing a picture.  Her suggested activity is recommended for YLE, Preliminary and First. 

In the second post, Julieta Caffarel, from Uruguay again uses a picture and drawing and colouring activity to practise for all 3 of the Cambridge English: YLE tests papers.

And in her post, Daniela Mirza,  from Romania, suggests recording an interview and then creating a comprehension activity.

It was great to be able to see both Natalia and Julieta 'in person' on Cambridge TV!

I leave for Rome in under 4 hours' time.  Hope to inspire and be inspired!!!!!