FCE Oral Exam Tips

Ok, I know you are very stressed and worried about your oral exam you are just about to do, but, is it really so difficult that you have to be so worried about it? About five hours ago I was just as worried as you. Here, I’ll show you how to control yourself.

At first, I was frightened about it and while waiting for my turn I was rather nervous. If that wasn’t enough, my partner hadn’t arrived yet. My English teacher was waiting with me, and advised me to breathe deeply, think about other things and be confident about myself. If I were you I’d do the same, because it really helped me. If that is not enough I would recommend you to practise a little bit with your partner. Finally, he came just in time to start the test and I was quite relaxed. Once I entered the room and greeted the examiners I felt quite comfortable and did my best. Then, when you are relaxed and confident doing the speaking everything goes better.

Finally, when you get out of the room of the exam, you feel very relieved and if you did well quite happy. In conclusion the most important thing in an oral exam, apart from speaking fluently, is to be relaxed and confident about yourself. Good luck!

By Alvaro Azofra

My First Certificate Experience

Last Saturday, I did the First Certificate Exam. I was really nervous and that was, why funny and annoying things at the same time, happened to me.

It only was a simple detail, which started my story, I didn’t set the alarm clock. I woke up at 8:15 am and I had to be there at 8:30. That morning, I was running late, I didn’t even have breakfast, I got dressed and I rushed to the Hotel. But by the time I got there I realised to my utter horror, that I’d left my Confirmation of entrie at home! As you can imagine, I didn’t have any time to go back home and when I went into the exam room I was shaking like a leaf. Luckily, the examiner let me in because I had my ID card.

When I calmed down and focused on the reading paper, two of the candidates were disqualified because they were caught cheating. This, only made me feel more nervous. After the short break, we had the Use of English and thankfully everything went fine although it was a little bit difficult. In the writing, however, I messed up with the instructions and ended up doing task five, which was the only one our teacher had advised us not to do it. It a review of a book that I haden’t even read, I just made it up as I didn’t remember we weren’t supposed to do it. My classmates laughed at me at the break.

But this wasn’t all, in the listening part, I forgot to turn off my mobile phone and it rang. Everyone started staring at me, and we had to repeat one part of the listening.

However, the examiner felt sorry for me and I wasn’t disqualified.

Overall, it was one of the worst experiences of my life, but the exam went alright. Next time, I will remember to set my alarm clock properly.

BY: PAULA ARRATIBEL AND AINHOA PEÑA

How to Write an Essay -- chapter one: choosing a topic

Study tips - How to write an essay

            How to do an essay

-         An essay is a piece of writing which is for a teacher, this means it has to have formal language.

-         An essay consists on defending or arguing against a point of view.

-         In the introduction it must appear a signpost sentence and the general statement about the writing, normally a question or even better, a set phrase.

-         Arguments must be taken into consideration, at least two arguments, one per paragraph.

-         The arguments can be positive and negative. In the positive give PROS and in the negative CONS.

-         To end and essay perfectly you must have a good conclusion, summarising the main ideas and giving a final thought.

-         If you are trainig for the first certificate exam the amount of words must be between 150 and 180.

-         In the arguments we must use a topic sentence to introduce the paragraph and to say what is going to be talked about.

-         In each paragraph  TWO IDEAS, the ideas have to be talked about and there must be an example.

-         You don't introduce new ideas in the CONCLUSION.

-         There are some set phrases that are very helpful for an essay for example: The issue whether.......has been hotly debated in our local community.

-         Always remember to put a wide range of vocabulary. For example: godsend, boost, phrasal verbs and also linkers

-         Here, there’s an example of a good article:

Recently, the issue of whether areas in our city have made a positive contribution to society has been hotly debated in our local community. Although I can see both points of view, I must admit that I think that green areas are a godsend. [a1] 

First of all, [a2] spending money on development helps a city to boost  [a3]     tourism and it also helps provide jobs for people who live in the city. Tourists come to cities that are well developed but this  can sometimes be a waste of money, since[a4] , this income [a5] could be used to save animals and to develop green areas[a6] .

Secondly[a7] , some people think that having a nice environment means that you look after animals. In addition, [a8] you will save money due to energy savings,[a9]  as well  as[a10]  living in a quieter area. Despite [a11] the positive facts, some citizens could think that it would be expensive to maintain it or that they take up[a12]  a lot of space, which could be used in  a lucrative way[a13] .

To sum up[a14] , there is a big debate of how we should spend our money, because there are different opinions, and some individuals[a15]  don’t agree, as[a16]  they think that the government is spending their money in an incorrect way.

- GOOD LUCK!

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 [a1] Structure o fan introfuction of an essay

 [a2] Linker, to start with something

 [a3]The same as increase

 [a4]Linker. Fo contrast

 [a5]The same as money

 [a6]The same as a natural park

 [a7]Linker. To contrast

 [a8]Linker. To add information

 [a9]Vocabulary. In spanish means “ahorro de energía.

 [a10]Linker.  To contrast

 [a11]Linker. That means contrast

 [a12]Phrasal verb. Occupate

 [a13]Way that provides money

 [a14]Linker. It means the same as in conclusión.

 [a15]Good vocabulary: People.

 [a16]Linker. Means the same as because.

Tips from Alvaro and Javier
Essay from Ainhoa

Useful Links for CAE

Are you interested in reaching CAE level in English? Well, you have come across with the perfect blog! Here you have some useful links that may help you to improve your English skills:

FLO-JOE

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/

Floe-Joe offers a wide range of practice tests and writing classes. Have a look; we are sure it will help you! ;)

BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/

As soon as you click the link you will realise that this website contains excellent resources not only for learning new grammar and vocabulary, but also entertaining English games and videos that will make your learning time look great fun!