CFE Picture Comparisons

CFE Speaking Part 2

Answer these questions about the pictures 

I'd like you to compare and contrast these photographs, 

saying how you would feel walking on each of these paths.
Remember,   you have only about a minute for this, so don't worry if I interrupt you. Alright?

How to study for BULATS Reading test in English

The Bulats reading test is very useful if you need an evaluation of your reading ability quickly. this is he offical website:  http://www.bulats.org/  This test evaluates your abilty in Business English.  One of the main differences is that you can take this test on the Internet, without leaving your home or office!

The different parts of the test test different skills. The reading test as two parts:

 Part 1 of the test gives you a text of 250 words, and comprehension questions at the bottom of the page.  Make sure that you understand the text so the questions will be easy. In order to do well on this part of the test, practice by reading short essays, and news reports.  http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/ , make sure that you pick Grade 6 articles and about half way down the page are reading comprehension questions for Student A and B answer both sets of questions.

Part 2 is a cloze exercise.  It tests your ability to recognize idioms and common phrases in English.
You will be given sentences with blanks in them.  One section you get to pick from four alternatives, but the other part you have to type in the correct answer.  http://a4esl.org/q/h/idioms.html This is a good site to practice your idioms.  Do 5 each day so that you will learn them well.

The whole test lasts an hour and you get your score right away.
If you need help to prepare for this test, contact me and we can set up a time to study together. 

IELTS, TOEFL. and Bagrut Spelling Tips! When to write on L and when to write 2 LL

If you are preparing for any type of writing test, then you have to know how to spell very well.  This can be difficult to prepare at the last moment, so take time before the test to go over all types of spelling rules.  It can be very difficult to remember when to write one l or two, so here are some spelling tips for you.

If you have a word, that ends in the l sound, and it is one syllable, then you need to put two ll

full, all, bell, tall, till, ill, still

But if you add another syllable to the word, and the l sound is at the end, then you only put one l

careful, cheerful, until

If you have a word that usually has two ll  like all and well  and you add another syllable after it, then one l is dropped

already, also, although, always, welfare, welcome,

Some words with one l get another when an additional syllable is added:
cancelled, cancelling, signalling, metallic.

But there is always an exception in English:  signaled has only one l

One word that has a   difference between American usage and British usage is

traveller, is the UK spelling with two ll and traveler is the USA spelling.



Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher

How to get a higher score on the Toefl Speaking

You have taken the plunge and signed up for the TOEFL test.  Now you have to study but How? 
This blog post gives you practical advice about how to study so you can raise your speaking score. 

http://www.examenglish.com/TOEFL/toefl_speaking_study_secrets.html



Key Terms
complaint
go blank
TOEFL-style
 imitation
speech patterns
stressed out
 identified
self-assessment

Questions
What part of the TOEFL is the most difficult for you? 
Which part of English grammar is your weak point?
Which part of English grammar is your strong point?
How much time do you plan to study for the test?
How much time do you spend speaking English during a typical day?
How long have you been studying English? 
Why do you need to take this test?
What English tests have you taken in the past? 
Were you satisfied with your score?
Which strategy that your read about in the article is new to you? 
Would you try to apply this strategy?


Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Otbach - Professional English Teacher  

The Cambridge Proficiency Use of English Test explained - - English Exams

Do you need to take an English exam for work or immigration?  There are so many different types of English tests that are available to take.  This post explains the Cambridge Proficiency Use of English test, which has been in use for over 100 years, so it widely used.  In 2013, it was revised,  

Read this post and be prepared to discuss it with your English teacher
http://www.live-english.net/blog/english-exam/cambridge-proficiency-use-of-english-test/

Key Terms:
evaluates
cloze
 blanks
Gapped 
 homonyms
Idioms
in light of 
comprehension 
short synopsis
confident

Questions
Which part of the test do you think will be easy for you? 
Which part of the test will be the most difficult? 
What can you do in order to best study for the test? 
When you were in school, did you like to write? In your native language? In English? 
Did you like to read in English?  
How can you improve your reading comprehension in English? 
English speakers like to vary their vocabulary, and use different words that often have a similar meaning.  Does this occur in your native language as well?
How do you practice to improve your English speaking? 
How to you practice to improve your English writing? 



Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English Teacher

CAE English Achievement tests

The CAE English test is a high level test used by universities and the job market to gauge the English level of their candidates.  The test has many parts.  In this blog, you can find out about the English in Use part.

http://www.live-english.net/blog/english-exam/cae-use-of-english-section/

Good luck on the test!

Rachael