Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) Speaking Test Tips

Even though CPE oral exams are not the same as EOI ones, I am abolutelely sure you will find many useful tips below:

Proficiency Speaking Test Tips

Get the Most out of your Study Habits with these Tips

Few things are more stressful than studying for a big, important test. There is so much information to review for an exam, and unfortunately, study skills aren’t something they actually teach in many schools. For a lot of us, studying is an exhausting process of trial and error, and it can be all too tempting to just skip it entirely and try to cram the night before a big exam. (from Dictionary.com).

How long? ... Tips ... Reviewing ... Assessing ... Getting Help ... Staying Rested and Healthy

Spelling Tips by Lucy

Learn spelling tips for your better writing. 

>5 tips for reducing exam stress and anxiety

Read all the tips and put them into practice.

Advice & Tips for the Orals

Advice & Tips for the Orals

Useful Phrases for your monologue (Ignore the first paragraph)

How to Write a Memo and How to Write an Abstract

Even though these two specific types of writing are not included in the exam, it is always useful to know how to write them: (from Dictionary.com) 

• How to Write a Memo (with tips and examples)

• How to write an Abstract (with tips and examples)

Written Mediation Activity

CONTEXT: Your friend Dane received this infograph Consejos para ahorrar agua en el hogar from Cruz Roja, but he cannot fully understand all the tips. He asks you if you could write him an email with all the info.

TASK: Read the info and write him an email explaining the 6 most important tips.  

You have 20 minutes to write it in 100-150 words

[Key tomorrow]

Lucy's 5 best tips for learnining new vocabulary

Here are my 5 best tips for learning and remembering English vocabulary:

1. Make it part of your lifestyle! Try to think in English when you have peaceful moments in your everyday life. This could be when you are travelling to work, or taking a break.
2. Fill in the gaps! When you notice that you don't know a word, write it down immediately in your vocab diary, and then research it and the end of the day. This is all about lifestyle! It needs to be something you aim to do every day! I created The English Plan for this exact purpose - this method helped me to become fluent in my second language.
3. Read children's books in English! This was something I loved to do! Children's books are designed to teach children to read and write - and this will work for you too! Go to your local library or charity shop, or order some used children's books online. This doesn't have to be an expensive process. Perhaps you can share them with another learner of English when you're done?
4. Watch English TV shows! - This one may seem obvious, but it's really important to pick the right show according to your level. For beginners, I always recommend Peppa Pig - in each episode there is so much great vocab for everyday life! I actually made a video with my recommendations for TV shows for each level of English. Watch it here.
5. Listen to chatty podcasts! Try to see in advance if the podcast also has a transcript. These podcasts will prepare you to join in more conversations, and will probably include more slang and informal vocabulary. Have a look at the UK top podcast charts.

Up to which extent do you agree with Lucy?

Do write your own best tip(s) for learning and remembering vocabulary and send them to the Post a Comment section below!

Tips for the Oral Exam

Try to practise these tips from Splendid Speaking.

Speaking Test Tips

Even though these tips are intended for other test type (IELTS), they are applicable to our speaking exam too.

The Helpful Essay Writing Guide: Structure, Outline, Tips and Format

What is an Essay?

Purpose and Importance of Essay Writing
Essay Types
Basic Essay Structure
Essay Outline and How to Complete It
How to Choose a Topic for an Essay
Essay Writing Step by Step
Tips for Effective Writing
Essay Formatting

Tips to Improve your Grammar

Facts and Tips for your Orals

The Skill of Speaking

A good speaker can:

• Produce the particular English speech sounds and sound patterns, both in isolation and in combination
• Use appropriate words and intonation patterns
• Use appropriate words and structures to express intended meaning
• Recall words and structures quickly
• Organize his thoughts and ideas in logical sentences
• Adjust his speech according to his audience, situation and subject matter

From englishgrammarsoft.com 

1. Trust yourself. What you are saying is right. You prepared the topic carefully and chose phrases and structures seen in the textbook and in class which are the usual ones to talk about that specific issue. So, you should not be afraid of using them. It is not the first time you are talking about this. You have heard and spoken on this topic before.
2. You have revised the vocabulary sheets and words in context you found in the readings you have been doing throughout the year. You have chosen the necessary specific vocabulary dealing with the proposed topic. The moment you hear about it, a large number of words and phrases related to this field come to your mind.
3. You can pronounce intelligibly. Your classmates, language assistant and teacher understand you perfectly well, even though you mispronounce a few words. You try to avoid those words you are not sure to pronounce correctly. You participate in class whenever speaking is required and are not afraid of making mistakes (they are necessary to learn).
4. You have rehearsed at home and in class. You usually speak in front of your classmates, language assistant and teacher; your speech flows. You know how to deal with the time you have to do your speech/interaction. You have structured ideas and times and know your plan will work out well.

Hi everyone... Happy Holy Wednesday

As all of you know, we will carry on studying on line at least for the following next two weeks. First, some tips on how to do it Futurelearn: How to Keep Going on an Online Course and then the keys for the following textbook activities in Module 5, which will be published soon (you will only have to click here: Key to 5b 

I'll be posting the contents for the 1st online lesson after the Holy Week soon. Remember we will meet again exactly in a week time: Wed. 15th. 

C1 Formal Letters: Complaint Letters & Cover Letters (Letters of application)

Formal Letters & E-mails. Tips for Writing

Complaint Letters

How to write a Cover Letter

Popular Cover Letter examples.

Advanced Speaking Tips

Checklist to improve your writing: C1 Advanced

Even though this writing checklist is for Cambridge Exams, it could be applied to our writing tasks perfectly as well. Do it before editing your writing tasks and remember you have a similar one (specific for each type of writing) at the end of every writing section in every module in the textbook (below the Useful Language Section, right hand column).

You could also check C1 Advanced self-access learning Writing Part 1 – the discursive essay for extra tips.

C1 Ideas & Tips for Mini Presentations (from TEFLlessons.com)

Mini Presentation IDEAS

Useful tips to listen to the news

• Make sure you have heard the news in your own language before you listen. You could make some notes of the main stories, including any names of people or places.

• Don’t worry about how much you understand. Listen to or watch the report first a few times ‘just for fun’.

• Stop and review as many times as necessary.

• Write a brief summary (one or two sentences) of each story.

• Set yourself a few questions to answer. Then listen again for the answers.

• Make notes of any new vocabulary you think is useful.

• Why not listen to the news with a friend? You can help each other by talking about what you each understand.

• When you feel confident, try listening to the news in English in different accents.

How To Memorize A Speech

Proven Tips And Tricks (From Dictionary.com)