Mispronounced Words

A good exercise of listening and vocabulary. 

Consejos para el listening PET (B1)

Listening tips

Listening and Speaking 2015- Nueva calificación

Este post ha sido elaborado con la información del Handbook for Teachers FCE 2015. En el caso de tener dudas, sugiero la consulta directa de este manual.

En el caso del Listening, no hay realmente mucho que decir ya que las preguntas son tipo test, por tanto, se califican con una plantilla que comprueba cuántos puntos has obtenido.

En qué consiste el Listening

El Listening del FCE 2015 no ha cambiado respecto al anterior formato del examen.

Listening FCE 2015

4 partes

Duración: 40 minutos

Número de preguntas: 30

Puntuación: 1 punto por cada pregunta correcta

Actividad	En qué consiste
Part 1 Multiple choice (8 preguntas)	Una serie de audios en los cuales hablan uno, o más personas. Su duración es de 30 segundos cada uno. Debes contestar una pregunta multiple choice por cada uno de los audios. Cada pregunta tiene tres respuestas. A, B o C.
Part 2 Sentence completion (10 preguntas)	Es un monólogo de 3 a 4 minutos.  Debes rellenar el espacio en blanco para completar las frases
Part 3 Multiple matching (5 preguntas)	Una serie de monólogos que duran aprox. 30 segundos cada uno. Debes emparejar cada monólogo con la opción correcta de una lista de 8.
Part 4 Multiple choice (7 preguntas)	Un diálogo de 3 a 4 minutos. Debes contestar preguntas multiple choice de 3 opciones, A, B o C.

Para resumir, en el listening puedes obtener un máximo de 30 puntos, ya que son 30 preguntas y cada pregunta vale un punto.

La calificación del Speaking es un poco más complicada ya que se utilizan unas tablas. Veremos, a continuación, la evaluación del Speaking

En qué consiste el Speaking

Duración del Speaking: 14 minutos (igual que antes)

Puntuación: 20% del examen (igual que antes)

Partes y número de palabras	Speaking ANTERIOR a enero 2015	Speaking A PARTIR de enero de 2015
Número de partes	4 partes	Igual: 4 partes
Parte 1	Conversation between examiner and each candidate Duración: 3 minutos El interlocutor hace, por turnos, a cada candidato preguntas sobre su vida, gustos, estudios.	Igual: Conversation between examiner and each candidate El interlocutor hace, por turnos, a cada candidato preguntas sobre su vida, gustos, estudios. Cambia:  Duración 2 minutos-  Es 1 minuto más corta. Nota: Los tiempos no son tan exactos.
Parte 2	Individual “long turn” : 1 minuto and response from second candidate : 30 segundos A cada candidato se le da dos fotos y se le pide que hable sobre ellas.  Cada candidato deberá responder una pregunta sobre las fotos de su compañero. La respuesta será de 20 segundos. Se trata de comparar, constrastar, describir y expresar opiniones.	Igual: Individual “long turn”: 1 minuto and response from second candidate: 30 segundos A cada candidato se le da dos fotos y se le pide que hable sobre ellas.  Cada candidato deberá responder una pregunta sobre las fotos de su compañero. La respuesta será de 20 segundos. Se trata de comparar, constrastar, describir y expresar opiniones.
Part 3	Two-way conversation between candidates Duración: 3 minutos Los candidatos debían interactuar entre ellos en relación con un texto e imágenes con el fin de tomar una decisión. Debían compartir ideas, justificar opiniones, estar de acuerdo, o en desacuerdo, negociar y llegar a un acuerdo	Two-way conversation between candidates Duración: 3 minutos Cambia:  Desaparecen las imágenes. Ahora solo hay un texto escrito. Lo demás es igual. Los candidatos deben interactuar entre ellos en relación con un texto que se les dará a leer. Deben compartir ideas, justificar opiniones, estar de acuerdo, o en desacuerdo, negociar y llegar a un acuerdo.
Part 4	Discussion related to the task in Part 3 Duración: 4 minutos. Los candidatos responden las preguntas del interlocutor dando y justificando sus opiniones; están de acuerdo, o en desacuerdo, especulando.	Igual: Discussion related to the task in Part 3 Duración: 4 minutos. Los candidatos responden las preguntas del interlocutor dando y justificando sus opiniones; están de acuerdo, o en desacuerdo, especulando.

Examinadores y puntuación

La garantía de calidad de los examinadores del Speaking es gestionada por "Team leaders". Los "Team Leaders" garantizan que todos los examinadores completen con éxito la formación y estén acreditados para evaluar antes de examinar.  A su vez, los Team Leaders responden ante un "Professional Support leader" que es el representante profesional de la evaluación de Cambridge para el Speaking en un determinado país o región.

La acreditación anual como examinador requiere la asistencia a reuniones presenciales en las que se trata la evaluación y el procedimiento seguidos de una calificación de una muestra de examen de Speaking que se hace online. Los examinadores deben completar un evualuación estándar para cada nivel cada año y son periódicamente monotorizado durante sesiones presenciales.

Happy   
  

"The Tell-Tale Heart"

"The Tell-Tale Heart" is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe first published in 1843. It is told by an unnamed narrator who tries to convince the reader of his sanity, while describing a murder he committed. Here you can read it and listen at the same time. As Poe is one of my favourite writers, I hope you enjoy it.


The tell-tale heart: El espíritu de Poe regresa en Halloween - eBBi Books Blog

Listening

Another page with listenings. You just have to do them!

Listenings

Ejercicios de listenings para las vacaciones

Most of you believe that, as you have finished your English classes, you can have a rest from the language. And you are completely wrong. I'm giving you a link to a great article from my favourite blog, which shows you different listening exercises that you should follow in order to keep up with English.

Listenings

Audiobooks

Fantastic page with free audiobooks for the summer. 
Have a look!
Audiobooks                                                                

Back to Solitude

A short film (5 min.) directed by Joschka Laukeninks. I hope you enjoy it ( and you understand it too!). I would be glad to read your comments

A last kiss, a last date, a last look into each others eyes.

FCE- Listening, Part 3

Multiple matching                                                                             

Podcasts for Advanced English Learners

Podcasts are a great way to improve your understanding of spoken English. You can listen to them WHEN YOU WANT and WHERE YOU WANT.

Listen to podcasts about subjects which are INTERESTING, RELEVANT and USEFUL for you. If you want to be successful in the business world, listen to business podcasts. If you love football, you can  listen to football podcasts. Exposure to authentic English is essential for students who want to take advanced qualifications, such as the CAE and these podcasts will help you prepare for the listening parts of these tests. Pause and repeat to check your understanding.

PODCASTS ARE GREAT FOR STUDENTS PREPARING FOR LISTENING EXAMS

The BBC has a fantastic collection of podcasts. Some of them are produced for an international audience so you can hear interviews with non-native speakers of English. These are usually found on the BBC World Service channel. Other podcasts are produced for a UK audience. These are ideal for those of you living in the UK or who want to live in the UK. Listening to British English speakers will make understanding English which is spoken in the UK easier. These are produced by BBC Radio 4 or Radio 5.

Here is a list of podcasts which may be useful for higher-level English learners. 

·         6 minute English. Learn new phrases about a variety of topics. (6 minutes) http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/6min

·         The English We Speak. Short podcasts about real English phrases or items of slang. (3 minutes)http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/tae

·          The Why Factor. Learn the extraordinary truth about everyday actions. (18 minutes)http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/whyfacto

·          Click. All about the latest digital technology. (30 minutes)http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/digitalp

·          Forum. Great for practising short presentations and EAP students. Global thinkers present new political, cultural and scientific ideas. (7-8 minutes).http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/forum60sec

·          Global News. Best stories from around the world. (30 minutes)http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/globalnews

·          Discovery. Analysis of latest ideas and discoveries in science (25 minutes) http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/discovery

·          Health Check. Good for medical professionals. (25 minutes)http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/healthc

BBC RADIO 4

·         Analysis. This podcast examines policies and ideas. ( 30 minutes)http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/analysi

·         Desert Island Discs. Interviews with famous and successful people about their lives and favourite music. (35 minutes)http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/did

·         A Point of View. Short reflections on topical issues   ( 9 minutes)http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/pov

·         Front Row Daily. Interviews with writers, artists, musicians, actors and directors. (30 minutes)http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/frontrow

·         Profile. Biographies of people making the news. (14minutes)http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/profile

·         The Listening Project. Interviews with real people in the UK. Great for listening to different British accents and learning about British culture (14 minutes)http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/bbclp

Test your Level of English

A short and interesting way to check your level. I'm afraid you won't be able to see the correct answers to the questions but it is good practice anyway.

You've got 2 tests which you can do separately just by clicking on them.

Questions get easier or harder according to how well you do. If your English is very good you will answer more difficult questions than someone whose English is not as good. 

At the end of each test your level will be assessed at a CEF level (A2 to C2)

You should complete the grammar / vocabulary test in about 10 minutes.

You should complete the listening test in about 10 minutes.

Good Luck and Have Fun!

Grammar & vocabulary level test

Listening level test

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The Big Bang Theory

I've had a lot of fun this summer with this series and I'm showing you the best moments. 8 enjoyable minutes!

Things American Tourist Say

An American English teacher living in Spain shows several clichés that American tourists use all the time in our country. Although a bit difficult to understand, it's worth having a look. I especially enjoy her great sense of humour and her attitude towards this subject.

Tips to improve your speaking

Very interesting video about different ways to improve your speaking. Just follow the tips!

PET: Listening, Part 4

True/False

PET: Computer Based (Sample Test)

Aquí os dejo una muestra del examen PET Computer Based Test. Aunque sólo se pueden realizar algunas partes del test, os recomiendo que lo hagais y os familiariceis con él. Recordad que es exactamente igual al que hareis el 7 de junio.Good practice! 

PET Computer Based

FCE for Schools Overview

A link that you can use to practice all the different parts of your exam. A last effort!



https://www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org/ts/exams/younglearnersandforschools/fceforschools

FCE: Computer Based (Sample Test)

Here you have a sample of the Computer Based Test.Although you can only do some parts of the test, remember it is exactly as the one you'll do at the end of the course. Good practice!

FCE Computer Based

PET speaking

A video about the speaking part in the Preliminary test. Let's practice!