Tuesday 30 October 2012

fce

Dear students, check this out, I got it from "learning English is easy as pie". (facebook)

inking words.
Giving examples

For example
For instance
Namely

The most common way of giving examples is by using for example or for instance.

Namely refers to something by name.
"There are two problems: namely, the expense and the time."

Adding information

And
In addition
As well as
Also
Too
Furthermore
Moreover
Apart from
In addition to
Besides
Ideas are often linked by and. In a list, you put a comma between each item, but not before and.

"We discussed training, education and the budget."
Also is used to add an extra idea or emphasis. "We also spoke about marketing."

You can use also with not only to give emphasis.
"We are concerned not only by the costs, but also by the competition."

We don't usually start a sentence with also. If you want to start a sentence with a phrase that means also, you can use In addition, or In addition to this…

As well as can be used at the beginning or the middle of a sentence.
"As well as the costs, we are concerned by the competition."
"We are interested in costs as well as the competition."

Too goes either at the end of the sentence, or after the subject and means as well.
"They were concerned too."
"I, too, was concerned."

Apart from and besides are often used to mean as well as, or in addition to.
"Apart from Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer."
"Besides Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer."

Moreover and furthermore add extra information to the point you are making.
"Marketing plans give us an idea of the potential market. Moreover, they tell us about the competition."





Due to / due to the fact that
Owing to / owing to the fact that
Because
Because of
Since
As

Due to and owing to must be followed by a noun.

"Due to the rise in oil prices, the inflation rate rose by 1.25%."

"Owing to the demand, we are unable to supply all items within 2 weeks."

If you want to follow these words with a clause (a subject, verb and object), you must follow the words with the fact that.

"Due to the fact that oil prices have risen, the inflation rate has gone up by 1%25."

"Owing to the fact that the workers have gone on strike, the company has been unable to fulfil all its orders."

Because / because of

Because of is followed by a noun.

"Because of bad weather, the football match was postponed."

Because can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. For example, "Because it was raining, the match was postponed."

"We believe in incentive schemes, because we want our employees to be more productive."

Since / as

Since and as mean because.

"Since the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff."

"As the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff."

Wednesday 24 October 2012

FCE Writing


DOs
1.     Read the whole question thoroughly and underline important parts.
2.     Make a plan for each answer, including ALL points.
3.     Expand the points in Part 1 if you can, using relevant ideas and information.
4.     Write in paragraphs, whenever appropriate.
5.     Use a range of vocabulary, even if you are unsure of the correct spelling.
6.     Check tense endings, plural forms and word order in sentences.
7.     Check irregular past tenses and question formation.
8.     Check irregular past tenses and question formation.
9.     Use language that is appropriately formal or informal for the task.
10.  Choose a Part 2 question that you feel confident you can write about.
11.  Write clearly, so that the examiner can read your answer.
DON'Ts
12.  Don't misspell key words which appear on the question paper.
13.  Don't use the exact words from the question paper too much.
14.  Don't mix formal and informal language.
15.  Don't use formal linkers in an informal letter.
16.  Don't waste time writing addresses for a letter, as they are not required.
17.  Don't answer Question 5 if you haven’t read one of the books.
    1. Don't worry if you run slightly over the word limit. 

spelling rules British vs American

Saturday 13 October 2012

FCE

Dear students, check these links to practise word formation.

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/2_wfmtst4.htm
http://www.examenglish.com/FCE/fce_use_of_english_part3.htm

Wednesday 10 October 2012

FCE Use of English Dos and Don'ts


  • Use of English DOs and DON’Ts
DOs
1.     Read the words following the gaps in Parts 1 and 2 as they may have an effect on the answer.
2.     Make sure that any verb you write in a gap in Part 2 agrees with its subject.
3.     Write the prompt word in your answer in Part 3 without changing it in any way.
4.     Write between two and five words as your answer in Part 4.
5.     Remember that the words you need to write in Part 3 might have to change into a negative or a plural.
6.     Check your spelling in all parts of the test
7.     Make sure that you transfer your answers to the answer sheet accurately.
DON'Ts
8.     Don't write the answers to any of the examples on your answer sheets.
9.     Don't choose your answer in Part 1 before you have read all the options.
10.  Don't write out the full sentence when answering the questions in Part 4.
11.  Don't leave the base word in Part 3 unchanged.
12.  Don’t decide on your answer before reading the whole of a sentence in all parts.
13.  Don't give alternative answers for any questions. 

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Quotes

Dear students, please read the quotes and choose the one you most identify with. If you don't identigy with any, let me know why. Enjoy.

“When Marconi suggested the possibility of wireless transmission of sound (the radio),he was committed to a mental institution. But people like Lincoln, Edison, and Marconi were strongly motivated. So they didn't give up. They somehow knew that the only real failure is the one from which we learn nothing. They seemed to go on the assumption that there is no failure greater than the failure of not trying, and so they continued to try in the face of repeated failures.” 
― John PowellWill the Real Me Please Stand Up?: 25 Guidelines for Good Communication

“Why am I afraid to tell you who I am? I am afraid to tell you who I am, because, if I tell you who I am, you may not like who I am, and it's all that I have...” 
― John Powell

“Human beings, like plants, grow in the soil of acceptance, not in the atmosphere of rejection” 
― John Powell

“Honest, open communication is the only street that leads us into the real world... We then begin to grow as never before. And once we are on this road, happiness cannot be far away.” 
― John PowellWill the Real Me Please Stand Up?: 25 Guidelines for Good Communication

“We must be trying to learn who we really are rather than trying to tell ourselves who we should be.” 
― John PowellBooks By John Powell: Unconditional Love/Why Am I Afraid To Tell You Who I Am/The Secret Of Staying In Love/Fully Human, Fully Alive

“Loneliness is the prison of the human spirit. When we are lonely, we pace back and forth in small, shut-in worlds.” 
― John PowellWill the Real Me Please Stand Up?: 25 Guidelines for Good Communication

“To live fully, we must learn to use things and love people, and not love things and use people.” 
― John Powell

Sunday 23 September 2012

Reading for English VII

Dear students,
Please visit http://ramongallegos.com/englishversions.htm Write a list of the most important points of the reading, what you liked and what you didn't like.
It's for Tuesday October 2.

Sunday 9 September 2012

FCE Listening

Dear students, please visit the following links to practise the Multiple Choice section of the FCE.





Enjoy Ü

English VII short story

Dear students, here are a couple of a links that will help you write a good, structured story. FCE students, it might be a good idea for you to visit these sites too.

http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Short-Story

http://www.write101.com/shortstory.htm

Thursday 30 August 2012

FCE reading multiple matching

Dear students, these are the links to practise. Remember to pay attention for the techniques which actually give you good results. Have a lovely weekend!

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/1part3.htm

http://www.examenglish.com/FCE/fce_reading3.htm

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Sunday 26 August 2012

crag

Dear students, here are a couple of examples of the word CRAG.

They accord with the nature of such scenery, and add much to its romantic effect; bounding like goats from crag to crag, often trooping along the lofty shelves of the mountains, under the guidance of some venerable patriarch with horns twisted lower than his muzzle, and sometimes peering over the edge of a precipice, so high that they appear scarce bigger than crows; indeed, it seems a pleasure to them to seek the most rugged and frightful situations, doubtless from a feeling of security.

They were about to resume their journey when one of the youngest and keenest-eyed uttered an exclamation and pointed up at the rugged crag above them.


See you Tuesday, have a lovely week.

Wednesday 22 August 2012

FCE Reading

Dear FCE students,

Below are two links to practise gapped reading exercises, such as the ones we've been seeing in class.



http://www.examenglish.com/FCE/fce_reading2.htm


Next class we're going to practise multiple choice reading exercises, below are some links for you to continue practising at home.


English VII students, you're welcome to do the exercises, I think they'll be great for you too.

Good night.


 

Movie

Dear students, remember you must watch a movie before Friday. It has to be a movie taking place in the future, but not necessarily futuristic. I'll write a few examples: Matrix, AI, Avatar, 1984, Children of Men, Prometheus, Armageddon, The One, X men... Have a lovely day.

Saturday 18 August 2012

Saturday 11 August 2012

Dear students,

I've found the perfect page for you to find out your reading comprehension level. Please visit the following link http://cdextras.cambridge.org/Readers/RPT_last.swf and do the online placement test. Make sure you bring your grade tomorrow. Have a lovely day.