How do you approach teaching exam classes? #ELTchat Transcript 02/03/2011
Transcript for the 12:00 p.m. GMT #ELTchat on the topic of teaching exam classes
| 11:58 am | englishraven: | A quick glance at the tiebreaking tweets indicates to me we are going to discuss exam classes first up. #ELTChat Any objections? |
| 11:59 am | DaveDodgson: | @englishraven Exam classes sounds good (I’m biased as it was my suggestion, albeit from about 3 weeks ago! :p) #ELTchat |
| 11:59 am | michelleworgan: | Will be discussing exam classes on #ELTchat for the next hour – hello all you ELTchatters! |
| 11:59 am | rliberni: | @englishraven Exam classes sounds fine so Welcome everyone to #eltchat today mods are me, @englishraven @barbsaka (so far) |
| 11:59 am | du_siemens: | @rliberni @englishraven Come on. Don’t be so mad… I know you guys love having us around. #ELTChat |
| 12:00 pm | englishraven: | RT @rliberni: Exam classes sounds fine so Welcome everyone to #eltchat today mods are me, @englishraven @barbsaka (so far) |
| 12:00 pm | rliberni: | @du_siemens the beauty of twitter is u can hang around and go on for hours without us! #eltchat |
| 12:00 pm | janetbianchini: | Looking forward to discussing exam classes now – #ELTchat |
| 12:00 pm | barbsaka: | Which exams do all y’all teach for? #ELTChat |
| 12:01 pm | bcnpaul1: | so it’s not the other choice then!? #eltchat |
| 12:01 pm | englishraven: | So let’s get a feel for the exams people are teaching (to) out there… Which exams do you and your learners face? #ELTChat |
| 12:01 pm | ozsolmaz: | hi everyone! great to be here 🙂 can we define the term exam classes first? #ELTchat |
| 12:01 pm | rliberni: | OK exams are having a bad press generally at the moment so how do we feel about teaching them? #eltchat |
| 12:01 pm | englishraven: | @barbsaka Great minds think alike and all that… 🙂 #ELTChat |
| 12:01 pm | rliberni: | RT @ozsolmaz: hi everyone! great to be here 🙂 can we define the term exam classes first? #ELTchat |
| 12:01 pm | chucksandy: | for the next hour my tweets will be dedicated to #eltchat where we’re discussing (ugh!) exam classes. #eltchat |
| 12:01 pm | DaveDodgson: | @barbsaka Cambridge YL exams (Starters, Movers, Flyers) #ELTchat |
| 12:01 pm | janetbianchini: | Hi all! It’s a great topic – exam classes – one of my favourite courses #ELTchat |
| 12:01 pm | englishraven: | RT @DaveDodgson: @barbsaka Cambridge YL exams (Starters, Movers, Flyers) #ELTchat |
| 12:02 pm | vladkaslniecko: | I prepare for FCE exams #ELTChat …my only experience with teaching exam classes |
| 12:02 pm | DaveDodgson: | I’m also getting a 1-1 student ready for FCE #ELTchat |
| 12:02 pm | rliberni: | @englishraven for me IELTS mostly sometimes CAE and CPE #eltchat |
| 12:02 pm | janetbianchini: | I have taught Cambridge suite mainly, but also IELTS #ELTchat |
| 12:02 pm | ozsolmaz: | @rliberni I personally feel bad when I teach them especially when it is one-on-one + for exam! nightmare for me. #ELTchat |
| 12:02 pm | du_siemens: | First of all, in my humble opinion, I think that knowing the exam you’re preparing students for is crucial. What do you think? #ELTChat |
| 12:02 pm | petertoppington: | RT @DaveDodgson: @barbsaka Cambridge YL exams (Starters, Movers, Flyers) #ELTchat |
| 12:03 pm | NikkiFortova: | @barbsaka I’ve got C.A.E. and F.C.E. to prepare my learners for this year. #ELTChat |
| 12:03 pm | michelleworgan: | Cambridge Main Suite PET FCE CAE and YL exams for me #eltchat |
| 12:03 pm | chucksandy: | here in Japan it’s the TOEIC exam from ETS that’s got everyone’s attention. ETS did some “fantastic” marketing here. #eltchat |
| 12:03 pm | bcnpaul1: | not currently teaching exam classes but have taught all cambridge main suite (FCE,CAE,CPE) and find that they can be v.rewarding #eltchat |
| 12:03 pm | englishraven: | I’ve done Cambridge YLE, KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE, TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, host of local (Korea) ones, + OTE in Australia. #ELTChat |
| 12:04 pm | janetbianchini: | @du_siemens I agree – you should know it inside out! #ELTchat |
| 12:04 pm | rliberni: | @ozsolmaz my students are mostly 1:1 but they really have to have IELTS so it’s very rewarding to get them to the right level #eltchat |
| 12:04 pm | KarenInGreece: | B2-C2 levels of Michigan, Cambridge, LTE, City and Guilds as well as TIE, Trinity spoken exams… #ELTChat |
| 12:04 pm | cintiastella: | I go to an American language institute in Lima, Peru where students do the Michigan tests #ELTChat |
| 12:04 pm | bcnpaul1: | what I hate about exam classes is.. a lot of t’s & sts’ think it’s just about practice practice & more practice #eltchat anyone agree? |
| 12:04 pm | barbsaka: | Cambridge YL, FCE, IELTS, CAE, CPE, LTE, City and Guilds, TIE, Trinity, TOEIC, PET…Is everyone familiar with these acronyms? #ELTChat |
| 12:04 pm | du_siemens: | @janetbianchini Yes. Otherwise how are we gonna provide our students with helpful tips if we ourselves don’t know the exam? #ELTChat |
| 12:04 pm | janetbianchini: | @bcnpaul1 Agreed – motivating studnets to pass is v. rewarding #ELTchat but hard sometimes |
| 12:04 pm | lolonagi: | @bcnpaul1 totally agree about the practice #eltchat |
| 12:04 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @bcnpaul1: what I hate about exam classes is.. a lot of t’s & sts’ think it’s just about practice practice & more practice #eltchat anyone agree? |
| 12:05 pm | du_siemens: | @bcnpaul1 I have the same feeling. #ELTChat |
| 12:05 pm | englishraven: | @KarenInGreece @CintiaStella Don’t know much about the Michigan tests (though heard of them). What do you think of them? #ELTChat |
| 12:05 pm | DaveDodgson: | @englishraven How are the local ones in Korea? The English tests in Turkey have some bizarre questions! #ELTchat |
| 12:05 pm | rliberni: | @bcnpaul1 yes, my experience too I often tell them to throw away the book and watch telly – especially IELTS! #eltchat |
| 12:05 pm | du_siemens: | Although I try to make classes interesting as much as possible, sometimes students get bored and they just wanna talk. #ELTChat |
| 12:05 pm | michelleworgan: | Do your stds ignore the techniques u constantly teach them when they actually do an exam? #eltchat |
| 12:05 pm | ozsolmaz: | @rliberni that feels great when you help them achieve. I don’t like the pressure parents putting on teacher and student..ugh.. #ELTchat |
| 12:05 pm | chucksandy: | Is there any point of teaching to an exam? I mean, isn’t familiarizing Ss w/ an exam enough.Then get on w/ teaching English right? #eltchat |
| 12:05 pm | DaveDodgson: | RT @bcnpaul1: what I hate about exam classes is a lot of t’s & sts’ think it’s just about practice practice & more practice #eltchat I agree |
| 12:06 pm | englishraven: | @DaveDodgson The local ones in Korea are shockers. Absolute shockers. Reliability swamping out all validity. #ELTChat |
| 12:06 pm | du_siemens: | @michelleworgan Do you know that I’ve realized? Some students of mine have their own techniques and they work quite well. LOL. #ELTChat |
| 12:06 pm | englishraven: | RT @DaveDodgson: RT @bcnpaul1: what I hate about exam classes is a lot of t’s & sts’ think it’s just about practice practice & more practice #eltchat I agree |
| 12:06 pm | rliberni: | @lolonagi my definition of an exam lass is one where the endgame is to take a pass a specific test e.g FCE, CAE etc #eltchat |
| 12:06 pm | rliberni: | RT @du_siemens: @michelleworgan Do you know that I’ve realized? Some students of mine have their own techniques and they work quite well. LOL. #ELTChat |
| 12:06 pm | barbsaka: | RT @rliberni: @lolonagi my definition of an exam lass is one where the endgame is to take a pass a specific test e.g FCE, CAE etc #eltchat |
| 12:06 pm | michelleworgan: | @chucksandy In theory true, but the actual stuff they need to know in an exam doesn’t come up naturally #eltchat |
| 12:06 pm | du_siemens: | @chucksandy I’m not sure, Chuck. I guess we have to teach them how to deal the exam. #ELTChat |
| 12:06 pm | lolonagi: | I always advise my Ss to answer as many exams as possible t pass #eltchat |
| 12:06 pm | KarenInGreece: | @englishraven I like them-they are regarded (nearly?) as highly as cambridge here.GCVR OK,but writing and speaking parts very good #ELTChat |
| 12:07 pm | DaveDodgson: | @chucksandy That’s what I think. Unfortunately, department heads & parents often disagree #ELTchat |
| 12:07 pm | englishraven: | @chucksandy I’ve found there are really great ways to take Ss “inside” exams, where teaching/learning take precedence. #ELTChat |
| 12:07 pm | rliberni: | @michelleworgan I think it’s a combination of what they can learn generally and the technique for the exam #eltchat |
| 12:07 pm | chucksandy: | @michelleworgan Do you think teaching test taking strategies helps? Your right: there seems to be little transfer. #eltchat |
| 12:07 pm | michelleworgan: | @englishraven Wha are those mysterious “ways” you talk about? ;P #eltchat |
| 12:07 pm | barbsaka: | So 2 types of class instruction–how to succeed on the test (strategies, familiarity) and language likely to be tested? #ELTChat |
| 12:08 pm | du_siemens: | I usually tell my ss: “it doesn’t matter how good UR English is, if U don’t have the techniques, u’re likely to face difficulties” #ELTChat |
| 12:08 pm | KarenInGreece: | A lot of teachers also think it’s about practise, practise, practise and not about teaching language and skills. #ELTChat |
| 12:08 pm | du_siemens: | @NikkiFortova That’s what I do, you know? but sometimes they just wanna talk for the sake of talking. #ELTChat |
| 12:08 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | RT @michelleworgan: @chucksandy In theory true, but the actual stuff they need to know in an exam doesn’t come up naturally #eltchat |
| 12:08 pm | janetbianchini: | Teaching students the necessary skills / strategies invoilved is vital as well as practice #ELTchat |
| 12:08 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @janetbianchini: Teaching students the necessary skills / strategies invoilved is vital as well as practice #ELTchat |
| 12:08 pm | chucksandy: | RT @englishraven: “Ive found there are really great ways to take Ss “inside” exams, where teaching/learning take precedence.”Agree! #eltchat |
| 12:08 pm | rliberni: | I like to teach beyond the exam if they are working at band 7 IELTS then they will be comfortable for a 6.5 #eltchat |
| 12:08 pm | du_siemens: | @theteacherjames Completely agreed. That’s why I love talking to you guys! hehehe #ELTChat |
| 12:08 pm | DaveDodgson: | @englishraven Same here. Out-dated or highly unusual vocab, long texts to read & naswer for just one point, no writing/speaking… #ELTchat |
| 12:08 pm | englishraven: | @michelleworgan Have them examine the tests, then make their own projects and items for them, then ‘test’ each other! #ELTChat |
| 12:08 pm | bcnpaul1: | sts respond when communication the main focus& then “btw – that’s v.useful for the X,Y or Z paper- e.g. blogging & writing paper #eltchat |
| 12:09 pm | rliberni: | RT @englishraven: @chucksandy I’ve found there are really great ways to take Ss “inside” exams, where teaching/learning take precedence. #ELTChat |
| 12:09 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @englishraven: @michelleworgan Have them examine the tests, then make their own projects and items for them, then ‘test’ each other! #ELTChat |
| 12:09 pm | KarenInGreece: | How important are the exams in your teaching context? Here there’s an obsession with taking them.We have 14yo taking CPE exams. #ELTChat |
| 12:09 pm | BrunoELT: | RT @KarenInGreece: A lot of teachers also think it’s about practise, practise, practise and not about teaching language and skills. #ELTChat |
| 12:09 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | Exam is a huge word here in Indonesia,it frightened my students lots of time, any suggestion on how to make the word ‘smaller’? #ELTChat |
| 12:09 pm | janetbianchini: | RT @englishraven: @michelleworgan Have them examine the tests, then make their own projects and items for them, then ‘test’ each other! #ELTChat |
| 12:09 pm | du_siemens: | @KarenInGreece That’s outrageous, I guess. The CPE exam can be quite dense. #ELTChat |
| 12:09 pm | larisa1113: | RT @cioccas: RT @Marisa_C: #ELTchat! Have you voted yet? http://twtpoll.com/1gwnaa I have! Pleas vote and RT |
| 12:09 pm | theteacherjames: | @du_siemens Absolutely crucial to know the exam – half of what we do is to teach them how to take the test, not just language. #eltchat |
| 12:09 pm | michelleworgan: | @KarenInGreece Jesus, how can a 14 yr old do CPE? It’s completely academic! #eltchat |
| 12:10 pm | DaveDodgson: | @englishraven @michelleworgan I like that one too – have them write their own questions in the style of the exam & quiz classmates #ELTchat |
| 12:10 pm | chucksandy: | @englishraven Love what you do with TOEFL – helping students get inside the exam. Can you share some insider tips & advice here? #eltchat |
| 12:10 pm | vladkaslniecko: | here stds think they are only going to TALK…they forget on what @chucksandy described as “familiarizing with exam”…#ELTChat |
| 12:10 pm | englishraven: | Exam prep/stress is probably the biggest bugbear in our profession. Need to play that ball smarter, not harder. #ELTChat |
| 12:10 pm | rliberni: | @chucksandy I work my exam classes hard I expect a lot and they need to deliver but I place emphasis on language not test #eltchat |
| 12:10 pm | barbsaka: | @yitzha_sarwono Perhaps familiarity with the exams, so they don’t seem so intimidating? #eltchat |
| 12:10 pm | bcnpaul1: | RT @rliberni: I like to teach beyond the exam if they are working at band 7 IELTS then they will be comfortable for a 6.5 #eltchat |
| 12:10 pm | janetbianchini: | #ELTchat Yes, get ss to make up their own tests for each other is a great stimulus and fun for them! |
| 12:10 pm | rliberni: | RT @janetbianchini: #ELTchat Yes, get ss to make up their own tests for each other is a great stimulus and fun for them! |
| 12:10 pm | lolonagi: | RT @janetbianchini: #ELTchat Yes, get ss to make up their own tests for each other is a great stimulus and fun for them! like 🙂 |
| 12:10 pm | BrunoELT: | #eltchat for the advanced tests (CAE, CPE) sts are given techniques on how to do the test. They do not “acquire” language at this point |
| 12:11 pm | ozsolmaz: | @barbsaka I know many colleagues who can pass the foreign language exam in TRK but can’t speak one word as they learn the technique #eltchat |
| 12:11 pm | DaveDodgson: | @michelleworgan @KarenInGreece A 15 y/o recently asked for my help to prepare for TOEFL! #ELTchat |
| 12:11 pm | vladkaslniecko: | RT @englishraven: Exam prep/stress is probably the biggest bugbear in our profession. Need to play that ball smarter, not harder. #ELTChat |
| 12:11 pm | englishraven: | @chucksandy Basically, use a Task-based approach, and let the exam items and formats create some parameters. #ELTChat (Too brief?) |
| 12:11 pm | janetbianchini: | @michelleworgan Yes, I had 14 year-olds attempting CPE in Greece but they failed miserably -too immature at that age for the topics #ELTchat |
| 12:11 pm | du_siemens: | @BrunoELT They do acquire language, don’t they? I’m speaking for myself… I did when I was gearing myself up for the CPE. #ELTChat |
| 12:11 pm | barbsaka: | @ozsolmaz I think that’s typical with tests in general (not just language learners) 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:11 pm | vladkaslniecko: | @janetbianchini and they can see the principle of the exam/test formation 🙂 #ELTchat |
| 12:11 pm | chucksandy: | RT @rliberni: “I work exam classes hard I expect a lot & they need to deliver but I place emphasis on language not test” Right on! #eltchat |
| 12:11 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | @barbsaka once i used ‘pop quiz’ for my high school class and gives chocolate for the best one, was that terrible? #eltchat |
| 12:12 pm | lolonagi: | @DaveDodgson the TOEFL exam, local and international IBT #eltchat…. which is easier? |
| 12:12 pm | rliberni: | Exams are tests of language if they have the language the test shouldn’t be an issue #eltchat |
| 12:12 pm | KarenInGreece: | @du_siemens I agree.They often don’t have the subject knowledge depth for that level (even in L1). #ELTChat |
| 12:12 pm | barbsaka: | @yitzha_sarwono You know your students better than we do. Did it get your the results you wanted? #eltchat |
| 12:12 pm | du_siemens: | @KarenInGreece Yeah, it’s not a matter of language most of the time, but maturity. #ELTChat |
| 12:12 pm | DaveDodgson: | @ozsolmaz @barbsaka I’ve found the same – some students who have passed TOEFL or local exams but can hardly speak! #ELTchat |
| 12:13 pm | rliberni: | No student should EVER go into an exam cold I feel but they sometimes do!! #eltchat |
| 12:13 pm | chucksandy: | RT @englishraven: “Basically use a Task-based approach, and let the exam items and formats create some parameters.”Nice! What else? #eltchat |
| 12:13 pm | GilMattos: | @barbsaka University of Michigan ECCE and ECPE; TOEFL #ELTChat |
| 12:13 pm | michelleworgan: | What do u do with stds that don’t have a good enough level but are in exam prep class and intent on doing exam? #eltchat |
| 12:13 pm | DaveDodgson: | @lolonagi I think that very much depends on the person who is taking them 🙂 #ELTchat |
| 12:13 pm | rliberni: | RT @michelleworgan: What do u do with stds that don’t have a good enough level but are in exam prep class and intent on doing exam? #eltchat |
| 12:13 pm | barbsaka: | RT @michelleworgan: What do u do with stds that don’t have a good enough level but are in exam prep class and intent on doing exam? #eltchat |
| 12:13 pm | KarenInGreece: | @michelleworgan I agree! Sometimes they have an essay to write and they can’t even think of ideas for it in their L1! #ELTChat |
| 12:13 pm | KarenInGreece: | @bcnpaul1 @michelleworgan I agree – that would be much more appropriate and helpful for them. #ELTChat |
| 12:13 pm | rliberni: | @michelleworgan I would question why they were there and advise them about waiting #eltchat |
| 12:13 pm | barbsaka: | @michelleworgan Teach them to have a good sense of humor and not judge their worth based on the results 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:14 pm | DaveDodgson: | RT @michelleworgan: What do u do with stds that don’t have a good enough level but are in exam prep class and intent on doing exam? #ELTchat |
| 12:14 pm | rliberni: | RT @barbsaka: @michelleworgan Teach them to have a good sense of humor and not judge their worth based on the results 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:14 pm | englishraven: | A couple of links/resources coming… 1st up. Notion of using Cambridge YLE materials as course material! http://bit.ly/eDpu7N #ELTChat |
| 12:14 pm | brad5patterson: | @englishraven Bugbear it is… and smart we need. i’m curious… do you prepare more IELTS in Australia, or TOEIC, TOEFL? #eltchat |
| 12:14 pm | vladkaslniecko: | i am sometimes sad to see that some of my colleagues find exam classes too SERIOUS to make fun and play there 🙁 #ELTchat |
| 12:14 pm | bcnpaul1: | RT @michelleworgan: What do u do with stds that don’t have a good enough level but are in exam prep class and intent on doing exam? #eltchat |
| 12:14 pm | ozsolmaz: | RT @rliberni: Exams are tests of language if they have the language the test shouldn’t be an issue #eltchat |
| 12:14 pm | lolonagi: | should we also talk about the GRE when Ss take it or it’s just overwhelming #eltchat 😉 |
| 12:14 pm | michelleworgan: | @KarenInGreece Of course, can a 14 yr old write exam task type pieces in L1? They have never had to do so usually #eltchat |
| 12:14 pm | du_siemens: | Another thing, we as teachers should tell our students not to do an exam if they are not ready for it. It’s happened to me. #ELTChat |
| 12:14 pm | janetbianchini: | @michelleworgan #ELTChat Good question – it makes it v hard for everyone. Get that student to do online quizzes for exam? |
| 12:14 pm | rliberni: | @KarenInGreece I sympathise I would hate to be asked to write an IELTS essay! 🙁 #eltchat |
| 12:14 pm | KarenInGreece: | @du_siemens I agree, maturity is a big issue here #ELTChat |
| 12:14 pm | chucksandy: | I have to come out of the closet to say I’m very anti standardized exam & consider it the dark side of education. #eltchat |
| 12:15 pm | englishraven: | @chucksandy TEACHING UNPLUGGED is by far the best way to approach exams. #ELTChat |
| 12:15 pm | rliberni: | RT @du_siemens: Another thing, we as teachers should tell our students not to do an exam if they are not ready for it. It’s happened to me. #ELTChat |
| 12:15 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | @barbsaka yes, but i felt like i’m buying them off to liking it! hahahahaha #eltchat |
| 12:15 pm | republicofmath: | See http://wp.me/p1mk0j-MN @rliberni #Exams are tests of #language; if they have language, test shouldn’t be issue #eltchat #mathchat |
| 12:15 pm | BrunoELT: | #eltchat it’s good for sts to start up from the very first tests so that when they get to the advanced ones they are confident enough |
| 12:15 pm | janetbianchini: | RT @du_siemens: Another thing, we as teachers should tell our students not to do an exam if they are not ready for it. It’s happened to me. #ELTChat |
| 12:15 pm | bcnpaul1: | @michelleworgan sts not at the level – w/YLs try to spk to parents, but in spain v.diff to dissuade sts from FCE (The Holy Grail) #eltchat |
| 12:15 pm | du_siemens: | I’m not sure if you guys are familiar with this website, but www.flo-joe.co.uk is just wonderful to use in class. #ELTChat |
| 12:15 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @chucksandy: I have to come out of closet to say I’m very anti standardized exam & consider it the dark side of education #eltchat Me too |
| 12:15 pm | fiandjo: | #ELTchat Focus on the distractors and items being tested is essential. Teachers (and students) should know the exam in depth. |
| 12:15 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @du_siemens: I’m not sure if you guys are familiar with this website, but www.flo-joe.co.uk is just wonderful to use in class. #ELTChat |
| 12:15 pm | englishraven: | @brad5patterson Australia is huge on IELTS, TOEFL gaining some traction, TOEIC a no-show. #ELTChat |
| 12:15 pm | vladkaslniecko: | @DaveDodgson @michelleworgan also important to know how much they are motivated…and if they realise they need to work more #ELTchat |
| 12:15 pm | barbsaka: | @chucksandy If you were in the closet about that one then you’re not very good at keeping a secret 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:15 pm | du_siemens: | @BrunoELT and they theoretically know what it’s all about… #ELTChat |
| 12:16 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | RT @chucksandy: I have to come out of the closet to say I’m very anti standardized exam & consider it the dark side of education. #eltchat |
| 12:16 pm | ozsolmaz: | @waykatewit In some exams in Turkey, they don’t test speaking or writing at all! #eltchat |
| 12:16 pm | du_siemens: | @michelleworgan have u ever used it? #ELTChat |
| 12:16 pm | vladkaslniecko: | RT @chucksandy: I have to come out of the closet to say I’m very anti standardized exam & consider it the dark side of education. #eltchat |
| 12:16 pm | rliberni: | @NikkiFortova absolutely I would never advise anybody to go into an exam without some practice but language is the key #eltchat |
| 12:16 pm | michelleworgan: | Problem is lack of learner autonomy – work outside class is necessary to do well in exams usually #eltchat |
| 12:16 pm | rliberni: | RT @KarenInGreece: @du_siemens I agree, maturity is a big issue here #ELTChat |
| 12:16 pm | janetbianchini: | RT @du_siemens: I’m not sure if you guys are familiar with this website, but www.flo-joe.co.uk is just wonderful to use in class. #ELTChat |
| 12:16 pm | du_siemens: | @chucksandy How would that be different? Teaching unplugged… #ELTChat |
| 12:16 pm | cintiastella: | @vladkaslniecko Our attitude is essential! We need to show our Ss that exams are important but they shouldn’t be afraid of them #ELTChat |
| 12:16 pm | BobK99: | Sorry I’m late for #eltchat. Not ignoring you, but catching up |
| 12:16 pm | rliberni: | RT @du_siemens: I’m not sure if you guys are familiar with this website, but www.flo-joe.co.uk is just wonderful to use in class. #ELTChat |
| 12:16 pm | lolonagi: | RT @michelleworgan: Problem is lack of learner autonomy – work outside class is necessary to do well in exams usually #eltchat a>gree |
| 12:16 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @du_siemens: @michelleworgan have u ever used it? #ELTChat| Yes, in class and for stds to do at home |
| 12:17 pm | vladkaslniecko: | @brad5patterson @davedodgson @michelleworgan good point, Brad! Motivation is crucial!#ELTChat |
| 12:17 pm | BrunoELT: | Thats the spirit! RT @du_siemens: @BrunoELT and they theoretically know what it’s all about… #ELTChat |
| 12:17 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | I think we need to let them know that it’s not merely results that we look for but the fact that exam is a way for them to practice #eltchat |
| 12:17 pm | chucksandy: | RT @barbsaka: LOL I suppose i have been rather vocal over the years about my anti-exam activities, haven’t I? ^^ #eltchat |
| 12:17 pm | barbsaka: | Japan too! RT @ozsolmaz: @waykatewit In some exams in Turkey, they don’t test speaking or writing at all! #eltchat |
| 12:17 pm | bcnpaul1: | some sts only see the certificate at the end important rather than the process, so even if they’re weak level, they carry on #eltchat |
| 12:17 pm | rliberni: | @michelleworgan @chucksandy I AGREE we’re at the stage where if it moves test it! #eltchat |
| 12:17 pm | englishraven: | ‘The best approach to exam prep is an unplugged one’ http://bit.ly/ds3T9o #ELTChat |
| 12:17 pm | DaveDodgson: | @englishraven Yes, I recall hearing Aussie accents on the IELTS prep materials all the time when I last did it! #ELTchat |
| 12:17 pm | rliberni: | RT @englishraven: ‘The best approach to exam prep is an unplugged one’ http://bit.ly/ds3T9o#ELTChat |
| 12:17 pm | barbsaka: | @BobK99 Welcome! #eltchat |
| 12:17 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @bcnpaul1: some sts only see the cert at end important rather than process, so even if they’re weak level, they carry on #eltchat Exactly |
| 12:17 pm | janetbianchini: | Exam classes are sometimes a bit serious, but we should do fun stuff with them as well – breaks up the intensity #ELTChat |
| 12:17 pm | rliberni: | RT @bcnpaul1: some sts only see the certificate at the end important rather than the process, so even if they’re weak level, they carry on #eltchat |
| 12:17 pm | barbsaka: | @chucksandy Just a bit 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:17 pm | BrunoELT: | RT @michelleworgan: Problem is lack of learner autonomy – work outside class is necessary to do well in exams usually #eltchat |
| 12:17 pm | du_siemens: | @bcnpaul1 But I think it’s our roles as teachers to show them how much progress they’re making. #ELTChat |
| 12:18 pm | janetbianchini: | RT @lolonagi: RT @michelleworgan: Problem is lack of learner autonomy – work outside class is necessary to do well in exams usually #eltchat a>gree |
| 12:18 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @janetbianchini: Exam classes are sometimes a bit serious, but we should do fun stuff with them as well – breaks up the intensity #ELTChat |
| 12:18 pm | ozsolmaz: | @michelleworgan thats good point but some students can hardly fine time to come to the classes let alone studying outside the class #eltchat |
| 12:18 pm | michelleworgan: | @janetbianchini I find it v difficult to find time to play/have fun though 🙁 #eltchat |
| 12:18 pm | ozsolmaz: | RT @janetbianchini: Exam classes are sometimes a bit serious, but we should do fun stuff with them as well – breaks up the intensity #ELTChat |
| 12:18 pm | englishraven: | @chucksandy It’s only the dark side of our lot if we let it be… Teachers have more influence here than they think/allow. #ELTChat |
| 12:18 pm | bcnpaul1: | @michelleworgan @chucksandy the dark side! but also very motivating in lots of ways. And doesn’t always need to be trad. teaching #eltchat |
| 12:19 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @englishraven: @chucksandy It’s only the dark side of our lot if we let it be… Teachers have more influence here than they think/allow. #ELTChat |
| 12:19 pm | waykatewit: | @ozsolmaz OMG! #ELTChat |
| 12:19 pm | janetbianchini: | Getting exam prep students to be responsible for themselves for passing exam is crucial – outside activities should be the norm #ELTChat |
| 12:19 pm | rliberni: | @bcnpaul1 oft the case with IELTS after the exam all stops even though at band 6 they’re not ready 2 do a degree in English!! #eltchat |
| 12:19 pm | chucksandy: | RT @du_siemens “How would Teaching unplugged be different?” Teaching naturally what needs to be taught.Going for tteaching moments. #eltchat |
| 12:19 pm | vladkaslniecko: | RT @BrunoELT: RT @michelleworgan: Problem is lack of learner autonomy – work outside class is necessary to do well in exams usually #eltchat |
| 12:19 pm | du_siemens: | @michelleworgan I’m not sure if I agree. Do you know that task in which they have four different texts and 15 questions? #ELTChat |
| 12:19 pm | NikkiFortova: | @rliberni yes, agree, if they don’t have the linguistic resources strategies won’t make up for that. #ELTChat |
| 12:19 pm | ozsolmaz: | @janetbianchini excellent.I have met some students who dont want fun stuff or break. They want you to keep teaching though. really! #eltchat |
| 12:19 pm | KarenInGreece: | RT @BrunoELT: RT @michelleworgan: Problem is lack of learner autonomy – work outside class is necessary to do well in exams usually #eltchat |
| 12:19 pm | DaveDodgson: | @brad5patterson But IELTS is increasingly being used as a standard for local job & university applications, same as TOEFL #ELTchat |
| 12:19 pm | englishraven: | Let’s not forget, these exams are potentially life-changing, so our own preferences/ideals have to often take a back seat. #ELTChat |
| 12:19 pm | KarenInGreece: | RT @bcnpaul1: some sts only see the certificate at the end important rather than the process, so even if they’re weak level, they carry on #eltchat |
| 12:19 pm | du_siemens: | @chucksandy That’s a very good point. I might do it one of these days… I tend to plan everything beforehand. #ELTChat |
| 12:20 pm | bcnpaul1: | #eltchat teaching 4 an exam can often mean freedom from following the coursebook as well – v.involved w/sts immediate needs = focus on sts |
| 12:20 pm | rliberni: | RT @janetbianchini: Exam classes are sometimes a bit serious, but we should do fun stuff with them as well – breaks up the intensity #ELTChat |
| 12:20 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | here,exams always mean testing your grammar when i feel like it narrowed them to only study one part only leaving listening abandon #eltchat |
| 12:20 pm | ozsolmaz: | RT @waykatewit: @ozsolmaz OMG! #ELTChat << love the reaction but it is true 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:20 pm | KarenInGreece: | @bcnpaul1 And don’t forget, it’s some parents who only see the certificate regardless of their child’s abilities #ELTChat |
| 12:20 pm | vladkaslniecko: | @michelleworgan @janetbianchini me too, but I use at least the time when repeating or recycling to play and have fun :)) #eltchat |
| 12:20 pm | rliberni: | @janetbianchini I agree the exam is the destination NOT the journey #eltchat |
| 12:20 pm | janetbianchini: | @michelleworgan Using www.fotobabble for speaking tests is an excellent tool #ELTChat – gets them speaking for 1 minute on a phot of choice |
| 12:20 pm | du_siemens: | The hardest thing to deal with here in Salvador is when U have classes with ss who R willing to take the exam and ss who are not… #ELTChat |
| 12:20 pm | barbsaka: | Exam prep is also one of the fastest growing segments in ELT #eltchat (bread and butter for a lot of teachers) |
| 12:20 pm | englishraven: | RT @janetbianchini: @michelleworgan Using www.fotobabble for speaking tests is an excellent tool #ELTChat – gets them speaking for 1 minute on a phot of choice |
| 12:20 pm | rliberni: | RT @janetbianchini: @michelleworgan Using www.fotobabble for speaking tests is an excellent tool #ELTChat – gets them speaking for 1 minute on a phot of choice |
| 12:21 pm | KarenInGreece: | RT @janetbianchini: Exam classes are sometimes a bit serious, but we should do fun stuff with them as well – breaks up the intensity #ELTChat |
| 12:21 pm | rliberni: | RT @barbsaka: Exam prep is also one of the fastest growing segments in ELT #eltchat (bread and butter for a lot of teachers) |
| 12:21 pm | lolonagi: | RT @janetbianchini: @michelleworgan Using www.fotobabble for speaking tests is an excellent tool #ELTChat – ge? (cont) http://deck.ly/~YxKl6 |
| 12:21 pm | chucksandy: | @englishraven: agree. Ts have enormous influence on how Ss perceive exams & thus on how Ss perceive themselves #eltchat |
| 12:21 pm | rliberni: | RT @chucksandy: @englishraven: agree. Ts have enormous influence on how Ss perceive exams & thus on how Ss perceive themselves #eltchat |
| 12:21 pm | DaveDodgson: | @englishraven Many people I work with see little point to the YL exams. Do you think they testing at that age serves a purpose? #ELTchat |
| 12:21 pm | du_siemens: | @michelleworgan Yep. I photocopy each text and I blow them up. I put each 1 on a different wall and give ss the questions. Dynamic. #ELTChat |
| 12:21 pm | englishraven: | RT @KarenInGreece: @bcnpaul1 And don’t forget, it’s some parents who only see the certificate regardless of their child’s abilities #ELTChat |
| 12:21 pm | chucksandy: | RT @barbsaka: Exam prep is also one of the fastest growing segments in ELT #eltchat (bread and butter for a lot of teachers) Yes #eltchat |
| 12:22 pm | NikkiFortova: | RT @janetbianchini: @michelleworgan Using www.fotobabble for speaking tests is an excellent tool #ELTChat – gets them speaking for 1 minute on a phot of choice |
| 12:22 pm | vladkaslniecko: | RT @KarenInGreece: @bcnpaul1 And don’t forget, it’s some parents who only see the certificate regardless of their child’s abilities #ELTChat |
| 12:22 pm | du_siemens: | @brad5patterson I think we need to do it, you know? Doing exercises in class is way different from actually taking the live exam. #ELTChat |
| 12:22 pm | englishraven: | @DaveDodgson Yes. I find those tests about as good as can be managed for YLs. Handled right, they can be positive. #ELTChat |
| 12:22 pm | bcnpaul1: | exam classes can also be v.dogme-centred. take in use of english part 1,2,3 or 4 & get 2 hrs from it focusing on gaps / topic etc. #eltchat |
| 12:22 pm | rliberni: | @barbsaka but teachers can make the difference between drudgery and excitement – use the exam to perform & demo ur great English! #eltchat |
| 12:22 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @du_siemens: @michelleworgan Yep. I photocopy each text and I blow them up. I put each 1 on a different wall and give ss the questions. Dynamic. #ELTChat |
| 12:22 pm | BrunoELT: | #eltchat the confidence factor is undoubtably positive when sts take exams. Often they come to me and say “I didnt know I knew that much” |
| 12:22 pm | barbsaka: | Kids’ English and Exams–it’s what parents are willing to pay for even in bad economy 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:22 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @janetbianchini: @michelleworgan Using www.fotobabble for speaking tests is an excellent tool #ELTChat – gets them speaking for 1 minute on a phot of choice |
| 12:22 pm | rliberni: | RT @BrunoELT: #eltchat the confidence factor is undoubtably positive when sts take exams. Often they come to me and say “I didnt know I knew that much” |
| 12:22 pm | barbsaka: | RT @rliberni: teachers can make the difference between drudgery and excitement – use the exam to perform & demo ur great English! #eltchat |
| 12:23 pm | michelleworgan: | @DaveDodgson Not much point but the kids actually enjoy them #eltchat |
| 12:23 pm | englishraven: | RT @rliberni: @janetbianchini I agree the exam is the destination NOT the journey #eltchat |
| 12:23 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | @englishraven exam=life changing .That is exactly why some are afraid of it 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:23 pm | Marisa_C: | Hello everyone and thanks to ye wondrful mods @englishraven @riberni @barbsaka – sorry am late just out of a TP fb #ELTchat |
| 12:23 pm | du_siemens: | @DaveDodgson @michelleworgan not to mention that they are also practicing for future exams such as FCE, CAE e CPE… #ELTChat |
| 12:23 pm | BrunoELT: | @janetbianchini: @michelleworgan Using www.fotobabble 4 speaking tests is an gr8tool #ELTChat -gets sts speaking for 1m on a phot of choice |
| 12:23 pm | rliberni: | @brad5patterson like a mock exam yes I used to – I now do mostly 1:1 more like coaching #eltchat |
| 12:24 pm | englishraven: | @yitzha_sarwono Right. One of the T’s key challenges is to confront and reduce that fear. #ELTChat |
| 12:24 pm | barbsaka: | @Marisa_C So you’ll give me a pass on my homework? #eltchat |
| 12:24 pm | du_siemens: | @Marisa_C I missed you here. Glad to see you back. #ELTChat |
| 12:24 pm | KarenInGreece: | RT @bcnpaul1: exam classes can also be v.dogme-centred. take in use of english part 1,2,3 or 4 & get 2 hrs from it focusing on gaps / topic etc. #eltchat |
| 12:24 pm | bcnpaul1: | @DaveDodgson @englishraven YLE exams give a nice focus but I can’t get the money-making thought out of my head when I teach them #eltchat |
| 12:24 pm | Marisa_C: | RT @bcnpaul1: exam classes can also be v.dogme-centred. #eltchat > I like this idea 🙂 |
| 12:24 pm | janetbianchini: | http://tinyurl.com/4t4dymb #ELTChat Nice ideas here for using this simple tool! |
| 12:24 pm | KarenInGreece: | RT @rliberni: @janetbianchini I agree the exam is the destination NOT the journey #eltchat |
| 12:24 pm | rliberni: | @Marisa_C Hi Marisa welcome we’re really getting our teeth into exams here! #eltchat |
| 12:24 pm | Marisa_C: | RT @barbsaka: Exam prep is also one of the fastest growing segments in ELT #eltchat (bread and butter for a lot of teachers) |
| 12:24 pm | rliberni: | RT @janetbianchini: http://tinyurl.com/4t4dymb #ELTChat Nice ideas here for using this simple tool! |
| 12:24 pm | waykatewit: | @yitzha_sarwono @englishraven and that’s exactly why others love them! 🙂 #ELTChat |
| 12:24 pm | englishraven: | @bcnpaul1 That’s why I only used to use them in-house. 🙂 Never sent my kids to take the official versions. #ELTChat |
| 12:25 pm | BrunoELT: | #eltchat Sometimes I see exam prep course as way too boring! What do you guys do to change it? |
| 12:25 pm | DaveDodgson: | @bcnpaul1 Same here – do they really need three levels in order to get them ‘ready’ for future tests? #ELTchat |
| 12:25 pm | BrunoELT: | RT @englishraven: RT @rliberni: @janetbianchini I agree the exam is the destination NOT the journey #eltchat |
| 12:25 pm | janetbianchini: | @Marisa_C HI Marisa – great to see you #ELTChat exam classes – fast and furious as ever! |
| 12:25 pm | du_siemens: | @BrunoELT Maybe teaching unplugged as @chucksandy has mentioned? #ELTChat |
| 12:25 pm | michelleworgan: | @englishraven @bcnpaul1 Maybe u should write an unplugged exam class blogpost ;P #eltchat |
| 12:25 pm | DaveDodgson: | @englishraven I find the speaking is way to easy while the reading/writing is quite demanding #ELTchat |
| 12:25 pm | Marisa_C: | @rliberni @du_siemens #eltchat@barbsaka #ELTChat #eltchat hi and thanks! |
| 12:25 pm | BrunoELT: | How? I missed that tweet RT @du_siemens: @BrunoELT Maybe teaching unplugged as @chucksandy has mentioned? #ELTChat |
| 12:26 pm | SimonGreenall: | @Marisa_C Hi Marisa! #eltchat #ELTChat #eltchat |
| 12:26 pm | KarenInGreece: | RT @janetbianchini: @Marisa_C HI Marisa – great to see you #ELTChat exam classes – fast and furious as ever! |
| 12:26 pm | englishraven: | @michelleworgan Already have! http://bit.ly/ds3T9o #ELTChat |
| 12:26 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | I have always told my students that test are merely another one of those exam prep we do every now and then #eltchat |
| 12:26 pm | Marisa_C: | @janetbianchini give a helping hand Janet – missed the start of this #ELTChat |
| 12:26 pm | DaveDodgson: | @brad5patterson Yes, employers love to use test scores as criteria here, even in goverment jobs #ELTchat |
| 12:26 pm | brad5patterson: | RT @englishraven: Don’t forget, these exams are can b life-changing, so our own preferences/ideals have to often take a back seat. #ELTChat |
| 12:26 pm | du_siemens: | @BrunoELT … and I’m lost with so many tweets, trying to keep up with ’em. #ELTChat |
| 12:26 pm | michelleworgan: | @DaveDodgson In YL exams they always pass the speaking – I think it is important that the younger ones do well though #eltchat |
| 12:26 pm | barbsaka: | RT @englishraven: ‘The best approach to exam prep is an unplugged one’ http://bit.ly/ds3T9o#ELTChat @BrunoELT |
| 12:26 pm | rliberni: | @SimonGreenall Hi Simon we’re here again – talking about exam classes what’s your take? #eltchat |
| 12:26 pm | bcnpaul1: | @englishraven nice idea! Don’t they ever ask “mr.englishraven – when do we take the ‘real’ test?” #eltchat |
| 12:26 pm | waykatewit: | @englishraven @yitzha_sarwono I smtms do that by showing them the not-so-perfect responses of some . ss to show they CAN do better #ELTChat |
| 12:26 pm | du_siemens: | Can I ask you guys something I’m passionate about? What about speaking? Do we really train our students to do the speaking paper? #ELTChat |
| 12:27 pm | chucksandy: | @du_siemens actually it was @englishraven 1st mentioned unplugged exam prep. Trick is: convincing Ss it works! It does of course #eltchat |
| 12:27 pm | michelleworgan: | @englishraven Must have missed that one! #eltchat |
| 12:27 pm | BrunoELT: | So do i! RT @Marisa_C: RT @bcnpaul1: exam classes can also be v.dogme-centred. #eltchat > I like this idea 🙂 |
| 12:27 pm | janetbianchini: | I love teaching exam classes because motivation for me to get them to pass is very high – so maybe my enthusiasm spurs ss on? #ELTChat |
| 12:27 pm | rliberni: | @du_siemens I would say yes as they are stylised & students need to know what to expect #eltchat |
| 12:27 pm | rliberni: | RT @janetbianchini: I love teaching exam classes because motivation for me to get them to pass is very high – so maybe my enthusiasm spurs ss on? #ELTChat |
| 12:28 pm | du_siemens: | @janetbianchini So does mine… I’m sure. They get all excited… #ELTChat |
| 12:28 pm | lolonagi: | following, but havent taught exam classes before #eltchat 😀 |
| 12:28 pm | bcnpaul1: | @michelleworgan hmmm exams unplugged – now there’s an idea 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:28 pm | barbsaka: | RT @bcnpaul1: @michelleworgan hmmm exams unplugged – now there’s an idea 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:28 pm | du_siemens: | @rliberni I’m not sure if I understand. #ELTChat |
| 12:28 pm | englishraven: | The potential vagueness/looseness of Dogme and the constrained/contrived nature of exams actually make for a positive mix… #ELTChat |
| 12:28 pm | rliberni: | @janetbianchini I agree I always enjoyed them too they do up your game! #eltchat |
| 12:28 pm | DaveDodgson: | @michelleworgan I just feel/know that most of my students are capable of a lot more when speaking – it’s their strongest skill #ELTchat |
| 12:28 pm | janetbianchini: | @Marisa_C We are discussing approaches to exam classes – how to motivate etc #ELTChat + strategies |
| 12:28 pm | ozsolmaz: | RT @chucksandy: @du_siemens actually it was @englishraven 1st mentioned unplugged exam prep. Trick is: convincing Ss it works! It does of course #eltchat |
| 12:28 pm | Marisa_C: | RT @englishraven: “Basically use a Task-based approach, and let the exam items and formats create some parameters.” #eltchat > agree |
| 12:28 pm | waykatewit: | @DaveDodgson @englishraven it depends… many ss are better at receptive skills #ELTChat |
| 12:28 pm | chucksandy: | In dogme/unplugged exam prep, Ss have to see they’re making progress: writing more fluently over time, speaking w/ more fluency… #eltchat |
| 12:29 pm | bcnpaul1: | RT @janetbianchini: I love teaching exam classes because motivation for me to get them to pass is very high – so maybe my enthusiasm spurs ss on? #ELTChat |
| 12:29 pm | rliberni: | @du_siemens re speaking I think stds should be prepared for this too! #eltchat |
| 12:29 pm | fiandjo: | exams have 2 b looked at differently depending on whether formative or summative; diff psychological effects + practical purposes #eltchat |
| 12:29 pm | rliberni: | RT @chucksandy: In dogme/unplugged exam prep, Ss have to see they’re making progress: writing more fluently over time, speaking w/ more fluency… #eltchat |
| 12:29 pm | DaveDodgson: | Do you use past papers? If so, how? #ELTchat |
| 12:29 pm | michelleworgan: | What is your opinion on exam course books? #eltchat |
| 12:29 pm | KarenInGreece: | @du_siemens Yes I train mine for the speaking exams. Take them through the stages and teach them skills eg interrupting politely #ELTChat |
| 12:29 pm | englishraven: | @waykatewit @DaveDodgson Yes, I agree. In Asia, the YLs do much better with reading than listening/speaking. #ELTChat |
| 12:29 pm | barbsaka: | RT @michelleworgan: What is your opinion on exam course books? #eltchat |
| 12:29 pm | du_siemens: | @KarenInGreece That’s what I do… and it makes wonder. #ELTChat |
| 12:29 pm | janetbianchini: | RT @fiandjo: exams have 2 b looked at differently depending on whether formative or summative; diff psychological effects + practical purposes #eltchat |
| 12:30 pm | Marisa_C: | @janetbianchini thanks Janet – loads of great ideas here abt using TBL and the dogmeists are here too 😀 #ELTchat |
| 12:30 pm | sedayyildirim: | as English is usually fun for students , they get anxious when it comes to exams ! I do my best in order 2 relax them before exams #eltchat |
| 12:30 pm | BobK99: | @chucksandy Yup. I’ve never had an exam class, but obv. best prep for a p-&-p exam. But what about online exms? #eltchat (@barbaska – Thx.) |
| 12:30 pm | Marisa_C: | RT @michelleworgan: What is your opinion on exam course books? #eltchat > Utterly dire |
| 12:30 pm | tasoulazac: | RT @barbsaka: RT @michelleworgan: What is your opinion on exam course books? #eltchat |
| 12:30 pm | chucksandy: | @stevenherder of @MASHinEFL is doing wonderful unplugged fluency work in IBT classes. He’s a great resource. Paul Nation, too #eltchat |
| 12:30 pm | rliberni: | @michelleworgan I think students like to have something to refer to so coursebooks are a good idea but not the b all & end all #eltchat |
| 12:30 pm | michelleworgan: | I find it very difficult to find an exam book that takes just 1 school year #eltchat |
| 12:30 pm | englishraven: | @michelleworgan Most of the exam prep books are pretty bloody awful, to be honest. #ELTChat |
| 12:30 pm | DaveDodgson: | @englishraven It’s the opposite with kids in Turkey! #ELTchat |
| 12:30 pm | bcnpaul1: | @BrunoELT @Marisa_C it depends on a viewpoint – if u go to class overplanned & laden with /bks & practice tests it’s stifling #eltchat |
| 12:30 pm | SimonGreenall: | @rliberni Hi Berni, I’m just reading through. #eltchat |
| 12:31 pm | rliberni: | @michelleworgan It could be used as a reference and dipped in and out of #eltchat |
| 12:31 pm | KarenInGreece: | @michelleworgan It depends on the coursebook. I use some good ones that teach students the exam, skills needed, general skills etc #ELTChat |
| 12:31 pm | janetbianchini: | @sedayyildirim #ELTChat Yes, relaxing techniques are very useful + tips on how to deal with problem areas etc |
| 12:31 pm | michelleworgan: | @englishraven Books take sme topics (&vocab etc) as exams so they become just as boring #eltchat |
| 12:31 pm | englishraven: | The best exam prep c/books I’ve seen have come from OUP and Grant Trew (for TOEIC). Make a dud exam almost feel enjoyable! #ELTChat |
| 12:31 pm | chucksandy: | BobK99: how would pencil / paper vs online exams make a difference in how students prepare? Unplugged works for either. #eltchat |
| 12:31 pm | DaveDodgson: | @michelleworgan It depends on the book! Some are just page after page of sample questions, which gets a bit dry after a while #ELTchat |
| 12:31 pm | rliberni: | RT @englishraven: The best exam prep c/books I’ve seen have come from OUP and Grant Trew (for TOEIC). Make a dud exam almost feel enjoyable! #ELTChat |
| 12:31 pm | KarenInGreece: | But of course I supplement them with my own material! #ELTChat |
| 12:31 pm | Marisa_C: | @bcnpaul1 Many schools give Ts Loads of Books to keep the Ss busy – I think exam class marketing is a bit of a scam for many schls #eltchat |
| 12:31 pm | janetbianchini: | RT @rliberni: @michelleworgan It could be used as a reference and dipped in and out of #eltchat |
| 12:32 pm | rliberni: | RT @Marisa_C: @bcnpaul1 Many schools give Ts Loads of Books to keep the Ss busy – I think exam class marketing is a bit of a scam for many schls #eltchat |
| 12:32 pm | waykatewit: | @DaveDodgson I do – as sources of questions 🙂 I often need several texts/lectures on, eg, biology -for 1 stud- past papers help #ELTChat |
| 12:32 pm | englishraven: | RT @chucksandy: BobK99: how would pencil / paper vs online exams make a difference in how students prepare? Unplugged works for either. #eltchat |
| 12:32 pm | KarenInGreece: | @englishraven I agree – OUP are my fave for exam books #ELTChat |
| 12:32 pm | DaveDodgson: | @michelleworgan Others are essentially regular coursebooks with the odd exam-style question thrown in. as always, we need balance! #ELTchat |
| 12:32 pm | KarenInGreece: | RT @Marisa_C: @bcnpaul1 Many schools give Ts Loads of Books to keep the Ss busy – I think exam class marketing is a bit of a scam for many schls #eltchat |
| 12:32 pm | michelleworgan: | @Marisa_C Yes, often schools charge more for exam classes! It’s still 90mins of a teachers time though! #eltchat |
| 12:32 pm | Marisa_C: | And teachers who are doing a good job – building skills before building exam taking skills – are not favoured #ELTchat |
| 12:32 pm | englishraven: | @KarenInGreece Cambridge have done some good ones for IELTS as well, come to think of it… #ELTChat |
| 12:32 pm | du_siemens: | Over here, we use FCE, CAE and CPE Gold… which can be quite difficult if u don’t pick and choose what u find essential 4 ss. #ELTChat |
| 12:32 pm | waykatewit: | @englishraven @DaveDodgson the same in Russia – academic teaching at universities is the cause #ELTChat |
| 12:32 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @Marisa_C: And teachers who are doing a good job – building skills before building exam taking skills – are not favoured #ELTchat |
| 12:32 pm | SimonGreenall: | #eltchat Whenever I’ve done exam coursebooks, I distinguished between exam-oriented and exam-specific activities. |
| 12:32 pm | theteacherjames: | RT @englishraven: The potential vagueness/looseness of Dogme and the constrained/contrived nature of exams actually make for a positive mix… #ELTChat |
| 12:33 pm | lingliziya: | @DaveDodgson #eltchat also today am going to use sample answers for writing and give Ss the bands to get them to grade it themselves |
| 12:33 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @SimonGreenall: #eltchat Whenever I’ve done exam coursebooks, I distinguished between exam-oriented and exam-specific activities. |
| 12:33 pm | chucksandy: | @rliberni RT @englishraven: agree. Grant Trew’s Tactics for TOEIC is a real gem. His communicative approach works for all exams #eltchat |
| 12:33 pm | KarenInGreece: | RT @Marisa_C: And teachers who are doing a good job – building skills before building exam taking skills – are not favoured #ELTchat |
| 12:33 pm | janetbianchini: | Exam course books are useful for dipping in and out of = time saving for busy teachers!! #ELTChat |
| 12:33 pm | du_siemens: | @SimonGreenall and what would be a basic difference between them? #ELTChat |
| 12:33 pm | rliberni: | @DaveDodgson I would use past papers for a mock or as stds get near to exam not before to I know tchrs who use them every lesson #eltchat |
| 12:33 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | @englishraven I usually just compile problems from many books as many that i found here in Indonesia quite hard to implant #eltchat |
| 12:33 pm | Marisa_C: | RT @SimonGreenall: #eltchat Whenever I’ve done exam coursebooks, I distinguished between exam-oriented and exam-specific activities. |
| 12:33 pm | janetbianchini: | RT @SimonGreenall: #eltchat Whenever I’ve done exam coursebooks, I distinguished between exam-oriented and exam-specific activities. |
| 12:33 pm | du_siemens: | @rliberni Yes. I have lots of books with mocks here… #ELTChat |
| 12:33 pm | cintiastella: | RT @SimonGreenall: #eltchat Whenever I’ve done exam coursebooks, I distinguished between exam-oriented and exam-specific activities. |
| 12:33 pm | rliberni: | RT @Marisa_C: RT @SimonGreenall: #eltchat Whenever I’ve done exam coursebooks, I distinguished between exam-oriented and exam-specific activities. |
| 12:34 pm | DaveDodgson: | @lingliziya Good idea! The problem with past papers is that some teachers just give them out then review them. More must be done! #ELTchat |
| 12:34 pm | englishraven: | @yitzha_sarwono Once you know the tests, it’s worth exploring how to approach them unplugged or task-based. 🙂 #ELTChat |
| 12:34 pm | michelleworgan: | One positive thing Cmbridge have done is introduce PET and KET for schools, for younger candidates – much more relevant for them #eltchat |
| 12:34 pm | lolonagi: | so, what about explaining some grammar or problematic areas to Ss in exams classes, do u go 4 it? #eltchat |
| 12:34 pm | bcnpaul1: | RT @Marisa_C schools give Ts loads of books > and expect eternal gratitude for the generosity & cr@p wages in return 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:34 pm | rliberni: | @DaveDodgson I also feel that if the answers are in the back they may as well do them at home & then ask about any probs #eltchat |
| 12:34 pm | theteacherjames: | RT @englishraven Most of the exam prep books are pretty bloody awful, to be honest. #ELTChat – but can be cherry picked for handy e.g.s |
| 12:34 pm | du_siemens: | Teach exam classes using exam past papers can be amazing. I’ve downloaded more than 16 full mocks for each exam… #ELTChat |
| 12:34 pm | SimonGreenall: | @du_siemens You don’t have to prepare for an exam exclusively by practising it. The mix means you get a near normal coursebook. #ELTChat |
| 12:34 pm | KarenInGreece: | Some books though are tedious and boring. I’m expected to follow the books, although I spend a lot of time adapting/changing them! #eltchat |
| 12:35 pm | DaveDodgson: | @rliberni I use them but the most important part is breaking it down and giving feedback afterwards #ELTchat |
| 12:35 pm | englishraven: | RT @SimonGreenall: @du_siemens You don’t have to prepare for an exam exclusively by practising it. The mix means you get a near normal coursebook. #ELTChat |
| 12:35 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | @KarenInGreece @michelleworgan Can you suggest the books? #eltchat |
| 12:35 pm | waykatewit: | @barbsaka @michelleworgan unlike gener. courses, NEVER rely on 1 courseb. – they make simple things complex, not enough of anyting #ELTChat |
| 12:35 pm | KarenInGreece: | RT @bcnpaul1: RT @Marisa_C schools give Ts loads of books > and expect eternal gratitude for the generosity & cr@p wages in return 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:35 pm | BrunoELT: | #eltchat our textbooks try to incorporate the feeling of exams with similar questions but without the boredom www.learningfactory.net |
| 12:35 pm | SimonGreenall: | @du_siemens Well, as near normal as any coursebook can be hehe #ELTChat |
| 12:35 pm | lolonagi: | RT @yitzha_sarwono: @KarenInGreece @michelleworgan Can you suggest the books? #eltchat>grea |
| 12:35 pm | du_siemens: | @SimonGreenall … and what would be the advantage of doing it this way? #ELTChat |
| 12:35 pm | lingliziya: | @englishraven am using the Cambridge Complete PET and CAE. Do u know them? thoughts? #eltchat |
| 12:35 pm | cintiastella: | If we create the right activities during the prep course we don’t need to use past papers for mocks until the real test gets closer #ELTChat |
| 12:35 pm | michelleworgan: | @du_siemens Where did u get them? Did u pay for them? #eltchat Cmbrdge are mean and only let u have one for free! |
| 12:35 pm | ozsolmaz: | my sts came to the office, i had/have to leave the chat. great discussion. i will follow it later on #ELTchat |
| 12:36 pm | englishraven: | @SimonGreenall Let’s not forget, general CB writers have to deal with exams as much as anyone else! #ELTChat |
| 12:36 pm | rliberni: | @lolonagi absolutley I don’t see a real diff btwn exam & non exam except in the direction if they need to know it then they need it #eltchat |
| 12:36 pm | sedayyildirim: | sometimes even a simple exam course book can be a trouble in terms of extra information or unfamiliar items #eltchat |
| 12:36 pm | du_siemens: | @michelleworgan Ah-Ra. If I tell you, I’ll probably have to kill you. RS. (whispering) I’ll DM you. #ELTChat |
| 12:36 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | @englishraven can you suggest any? re:prep books #eltchat |
| 12:36 pm | englishraven: | @lingliziya No, but think I’ve used the IELTS one in the same general series? #ELTChat |
| 12:36 pm | SimonGreenall: | @du_siemens A course which prepares for real life langauge use as well as the exam. #ELTChat |
| 12:36 pm | janetbianchini: | For speaking Paper 5 FCE get ss to choose 2 of their own pictures to compare and contrast- then stick up round walls 4 all to do #ELTChat |
| 12:36 pm | DaveDodgson: | One pet hate of mine is when regular coursebooks, readers etc start labelling themselves as ‘suitable for ExamX candidates!2 #ELTchat |
| 12:36 pm | bcnpaul1: | does anyone know a school that pays t’s more for teaching exam classes? #eltchat |
| 12:36 pm | rliberni: | RT @du_siemens: @michelleworgan Ah-Ra. If I tell you, I’ll probably have to kill you. RS. (whispering) I’ll DM you. #ELTChat |
| 12:36 pm | rliberni: | RT @SimonGreenall: @du_siemens A course which prepares for real life langauge use as well as the exam. #ELTChat |
| 12:36 pm | barbsaka: | RT @sedayyildirim: sometimes even a simple exam course book can be a trouble in terms of extra information or unfamiliar items #eltchat |
| 12:37 pm | englishraven: | @yitzha_sarwono Which exam are we talking about? #ELTChat |
| 12:37 pm | du_siemens: | @SimonGreenall Ah. Now it’s perfectly clear to me. #ELTChat |
| 12:37 pm | rliberni: | RT @DaveDodgson: One pet hate of mine is when regular coursebooks, readers etc start labelling themselves as ‘suitable for ExamX candidates!2 #ELTchat |
| 12:37 pm | du_siemens: | @bcnpaul1 The one I work for, doesn’t… #ELTChat |
| 12:37 pm | SimonGreenall: | @du_siemens It’s called ‘having your cake and eating it’ 😉 #ELTChat |
| 12:37 pm | KarenInGreece: | @bcnpaul1 Haha good joke! #eltchat |
| 12:37 pm | englishraven: | @bcnpaul1 Most of the schools I worked for in Asia paid more for TOEFL/TOEIC teachers. #ELTChat |
| 12:37 pm | du_siemens: | @michelleworgan Don’t be a coward… I’d never do such thing… #ELTChat |
| 12:37 pm | du_siemens: | RT @SimonGreenall: @du_siemens It’s called ‘having your cake and eating it’ 😉 #ELTChat |
| 12:38 pm | cybraryman1: | My Study Skills page for students to organize & prepare for tests: http://tinyurl.com/4lvjadz #eltchat |
| 12:38 pm | Marisa_C: | RT @englishraven: @bcnpaul1 Most of the schools I worked for in Asia paid more for TOEFL/TOEIC teachers. #ELTChat > Spread the word! |
| 12:38 pm | chucksandy: | Very anti-exam, but love those movies like Stand & Deliver where T helps Ss rise to the challenge & they succeed. ^^ #eltchat |
| 12:38 pm | rliberni: | @DaveDodgson exactly it’s the post mortem that counts then you have to go back to the teaching bit #eltchat |
| 12:38 pm | rliberni: | RT @cybraryman1: My Study Skills page for students to organize & prepare for tests:http://tinyurl.com/4lvjadz #eltchat |
| 12:38 pm | michelleworgan: | @bcnpaul1 No, does that actually exist? We get paid monthly though, not hourly #eltchat |
| 12:38 pm | rliberni: | RT @chucksandy: Very anti-exam, but love those movies like Stand & Deliver where T helps Ss rise to the challenge & they succeed. ^^ #eltchat |
| 12:38 pm | KarenInGreece: | And yet we give up a lot of extra time for exam classes – extra unpaid marking, Saturday lessons, accompanying them to exams… #eltchat |
| 12:38 pm | englishraven: | @SimonGreenall I think the trick is blending in the exam prep without it being too noticeable, but nonetheless helping prepare. #ELTChat |
| 12:38 pm | Marisa_C: | Do exam prep teachers enjoy more respect/recognition in your setting? Is this considered more demanding than other teaching? #ELTchat |
| 12:39 pm | SimonGreenall: | @englishraven Absolutely right. ‘It ain’t rocket science’ quote 🙂 #ELTChat |
| 12:39 pm | cintiastella: | @chucksandy Maybe it’s anti-exam but it’s definitely motivating! #ELTChat |
| 12:39 pm | lolonagi: | it’s always unfair to us poor teachers 🙁 #eltchat |
| 12:39 pm | bcnpaul1: | RT @Marisa_C: RT @englishraven: @bcnpaul1 Most of the schools I worked for in Asia paid more for TOEFL/TOEIC teachers. #ELTChat > Spread the word! |
| 12:39 pm | du_siemens: | According to @englishraven and @barbsaka, we still have 01:20 to go… #ELTChat (LOL). |
| 12:39 pm | barbsaka: | RT @Marisa_C: Do exam prep teachers enjoy more respect/recognition in your setting? Considered more demanding than other teaching? #ELTchat |
| 12:39 pm | du_siemens: | @barbsaka Definitely. #ELTChat |
| 12:39 pm | rliberni: | @chucksandy I agree I don’t like exams but if it’s their choice for whatever reason we have to support them #eltchat |
| 12:39 pm | englishraven: | @Marisa_C @bcnpaul1 In all honesty, when I raised my hand and said I would take the TOEIC class in my 1st year of teaching… #ELTChat |
| 12:39 pm | janetbianchini: | I personally feel that ts doing exam classe have to work harder, but they probably don’t get paid more in most teaching situations?#ELTChat |
| 12:39 pm | rliberni: | RT @barbsaka: RT @Marisa_C: Do exam prep teachers enjoy more respect/recognition in your setting? Considered more demanding than other teaching? #ELTchat |
| 12:39 pm | michelleworgan: | @Marisa_C Not here in Spain – all Ts are expected to teach exam classes, however little experience they have #eltchat |
| 12:39 pm | du_siemens: | @rliberni I personally love exams. #ELTChat |
| 12:39 pm | janetbianchini: | RT @cybraryman1: My Study Skills page for students to organize & prepare for tests:http://tinyurl.com/4lvjadz #eltchat |
| 12:39 pm | chucksandy: | @rliberni we’ve done it w/ Interchange & Passages-labeled them good for TOEIC etc but only after massive research & revision. #eltchat |
| 12:40 pm | englishraven: | @Marisa_C @bcnpaul1 … it changed my teaching career and prospects HUGELY from that point on. #ELTChat |
| 12:40 pm | waykatewit: | @barbsaka @sedayyildirim has anybody else found that TOEFL and IELTS cours. explain simple things in a complic. way? (exam strat.) #ELTChat |
| 12:40 pm | SimonGreenall: | @rliberni Exams have very little to do with the student or the teacher. There’s a third party involved, school, employer etc #eltchat |
| 12:40 pm | du_siemens: | @englishraven How so? #ELTChat |
| 12:40 pm | rliberni: | @Marisa_C great question when I did classroom teaching you definitely got kudos for being a CPE teacher #eltchat |
| 12:40 pm | englishraven: | @SimonGreenall Nice quote! 🙂 #ELTChat |
| 12:40 pm | lolonagi: | @michelleworgan the opposite happens here in Egypt #eltchat, you should have a good exprinc |
| 12:40 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | @FiksiminiBekasi ada sih, tp lagi sibuk #eltchat dulu ya? kerjaan nih hehehehe |
| 12:41 pm | vladkaslniecko: | RT @SimonGreenall: @rliberni Exams have very little to do with the student or the teacher. There’s a third party involved, school, employer etc #eltchat |
| 12:41 pm | BobK99: | selfRT w/tag : They(‘d – theor. for me) need to have some famlrity with the look and feel? Otherwise, they’re at a time-disadv… #eltchat |
| 12:41 pm | sedayyildirim: | @chucksandy the majority is also anti-exam I think =) #eltchat |
| 12:41 pm | chucksandy: | rliberni @chucksandy “if it’s their choice … we have to support them” Not sure I agree.Isn’t it worth fighting the system a bit? #eltchat |
| 12:41 pm | rliberni: | @SimonGreenall I agree mostly but there are a few stds who want to test themselves against the recognised bench marks #eltchat |
| 12:41 pm | waykatewit: | @barbsaka @Marisa_C yes, definitely. Some cannot do it #ELTChat |
| 12:41 pm | vladkaslniecko: | speaking of SS autonomy… @brad5patterson has helped develop e-learning apps to help students prepare 4 exams www.edulang.com #eltchat |
| 12:41 pm | bcnpaul1: | RT @SimonGreenall: @rliberni Exams have very little to do with the student or the teacher. There’s a third party involved, school, employer etc #eltchat |
| 12:41 pm | englishraven: | @du_siemens Employability and leverage… Schools are careful not to p*%s off their exam prep teacher with runs on the board! #ELTChat |
| 12:42 pm | rliberni: | @du_siemens taking or teaching? #eltchat |
| 12:42 pm | michelleworgan: | Do u do mock exams in class? So that stds know how to pace themselves? I do, especially near the exam date #eltchat |
| 12:42 pm | du_siemens: | @rliberni Both. #ELTChat |
| 12:42 pm | SimonGreenall: | @rliberni Yes, I agree. But most students do exams because they have to. Someone else makes them. #eltchat |
| 12:42 pm | waykatewit: | @janetbianchini they do get paid more in Russia #ELTChat |
| 12:42 pm | chucksandy: | anyone read Tim Murphy’s “The Tail That Wags?” It’s a brilliant anti-testing book w/ strategies for the anti exam activists^^ #eltchat |
| 12:42 pm | du_siemens: | @englishraven Yes, that’s true… #ELTChat |
| 12:42 pm | barbsaka: | @waykatewit Not teaching either right now, but it sounds possible 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:42 pm | rliberni: | @SimonGreenall yes and it’s getting worse I think #eltchat |
| 12:42 pm | englishraven: | @rliberni You’re right, there are a lot of students who do like exams and/or really want to work towards them. #ELTChat |
| 12:42 pm | sedayyildirim: | @rliberni @SimonGreenall it’s a need both for teachers and the students . #eltchat |
| 12:42 pm | rliberni: | RT @chucksandy: anyone read Tim Murphy’s “The Tail That Wags?” It’s a brilliant anti-testing book w/ strategies for the anti exam activists^^ #eltchat |
| 12:43 pm | bcnpaul1: | RT @vladkaslniecko: speaking of SS autonomy… @brad5patterson has helped develop e-learning apps to help students prepare 4 exams www.edulang.com #eltchat |
| 12:43 pm | englishraven: | @rliberni Funnily enough, when teaching in a context that used portfolios gone wild, I almost missed exams… 🙂 #ELTChat |
| 12:43 pm | argyre: | I am on seafood diet! I only eat when I see food 🙂 #elt #eltchat #esl |
| 12:43 pm | janetbianchini: | @michelleworgan Yes, definitely! MOck exams are very useful as a preparation for real deal #ELTChat🙂 |
| 12:43 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | @Marisa_C in indonesia, it’s a privilege to be exam prep teacher cause i can assure you that it’s not gonna be walking on sunshine! #eltchat |
| 12:43 pm | michelleworgan: | We used to have stds in one whole afternoon to do an FCE mock so they would know how it was to do all 4 papers on same day #eltchat |
| 12:43 pm | NikkiFortova: | @michelleworgan yes, we did a mock exams with the exam classes last week to give us and them an idea of whether they are ready. #eltchat |
| 12:43 pm | juanalejandro82: | one more wednesday… I’ve just gotten up and I already have to leave. but I want to know what today’s topic is on #ELTChat |
| 12:43 pm | Marisa_C: | How far do u think u need to be familiar with the detailed assessment objectives of each part of an exam to be able to teach it? #ELTchat |
| 12:43 pm | tasoulazac: | @michelleworgan we do mock exams every month.It really helps. #eltchat |
| 12:44 pm | rliberni: | @sedayyildirim I would say requirement rather than need but we’re stuck with it #eltchat |
| 12:44 pm | englishraven: | @Marisa_C Pretty far, I reckon. #ELTChat |
| 12:44 pm | michelleworgan: | I also do mock exams around Feb/march before the June enrolment date so they (and I) can see a realistic score #eltchat |
| 12:44 pm | du_siemens: | I think that students’ attitude towards exams has a lot to do with how we see and teach them. #ELTChat |
| 12:44 pm | waykatewit: | @michelleworgan one thing I mock all the time is speaking. A regular task at each & every lesson. Heps #ELTChat |
| 12:44 pm | lolonagi: | @chucksandy cud u give us the link 2 the book? #eltchat |
| 12:44 pm | englishraven: | RT @chucksandy: anyone read Tim Murphy’s “The Tail That Wags?” It’s a brilliant anti-testing book w/ strategies for the anti exam activists^^ #eltchat |
| 12:44 pm | rliberni: | @englishraven in some respects they’re easier for us I think (less paperwork) #eltchat |
| 12:44 pm | barbsaka: | @michelleworgan I think familiarity with a test is important–like becoming familiar with different types of reading graphics #eltchat |
| 12:44 pm | bcnpaul1: | @chucksandy fighting the system- yes. Fighting against what sts want- no. IELTS to get a better life elsewhere for example #eltchat |
| 12:44 pm | chucksandy: | As anti as I am, I realize exams aren’t going away. Best we can do is convince Ss they aren’t test scores, that they matter more #eltchat |
| 12:45 pm | du_siemens: | @brad5patterson Absolutely. That’d be unrealistic to have students take the exam without knowing what it’s like in real life. #ELTChat |
| 12:45 pm | janetbianchini: | @Marisa_C Good point! I think we as teachers need to be very familiar with the finer details to help our ss to pass #ELTChat |
| 12:45 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @barbsaka:I think familiarity with a test is important–like becoming familiar with different types of reading graphics #eltchat Gd point |
| 12:45 pm | BrunoELT: | @Marisa_C I think the more you are familiar the better you can instruct your students towards a better achievement! #ELTchat |
| 12:45 pm | Marisa_C: | Greece is a very exam happy country – is yours? #ELTchat |
| 12:45 pm | NikkiFortova: | RT @du_siemens: I think that students’ attitude towards exams has a lot to do with how we see and teach them. #ELTChat > absolutely |
| 12:45 pm | du_siemens: | RT @BrunoELT: @Marisa_C I think the more you are familiar the better you can instruct your students towards a better achievement! #ELTchat |
| 12:45 pm | barbsaka: | @Marisa_C Better with familiarity, but possible without 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:45 pm | rliberni: | @du_siemens I absolutley agree I think you shld see exams as an opportunity to demonstrate your greatness and not be cowed by them #eltchat |
| 12:45 pm | du_siemens: | RT @barbsaka: @Marisa_C Better with familiarity, but possible without 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:45 pm | sedayyildirim: | @waykatewit @barbsaka yeap , I sometimes come acroos with this , complicated ways are choosen or the reverse . #eltchat |
| 12:46 pm | du_siemens: | RT @rliberni: @du_siemens I absolutley agree I think you shld see exams as an opportunity to demonstrate your greatness and not be cowed by them #eltchat |
| 12:46 pm | janetbianchini: | RT @BrunoELT: @Marisa_C I think the more you are familiar the better you can instruct your students towards a better achievement! #ELTchat |
| 12:46 pm | a_ahmad: | @Marisa_C never taught toefl/toeic, but a moderate familiarity is needed. too specific means teaching test-taking, not english #eltchat |
| 12:46 pm | chucksandy: | lolonagi: Tim Murhphy’s book is referenced here: http://mashcollaboration.com/blog/ #eltchat |
| 12:46 pm | rliberni: | RT @janetbianchini: @Marisa_C Good point! I think we as teachers need to be very familiar with the finer details to help our ss to pass #ELTChat |
| 12:46 pm | waykatewit: | @du_siemens absolutely! I try to be optimistic and focused myself – watever my students’ ability/starting level. #ELTChat |
| 12:46 pm | NikkiFortova: | RT @rliberni: @du_siemens I absolutley agree I think you shld see exams as an opportunity to demonstrate your greatness and not be cowed by them #eltchat |
| 12:46 pm | DaveDodgson: | @Marisa_C Oh yes, Turkey has an exam for almost everything! #ELTchat |
| 12:46 pm | barbsaka: | Japan, yes! RT @Marisa_C: Greece is a very exam happy country – is yours? #ELTchat |
| 12:46 pm | brad5patterson: | @vladkaslniecko thnx V 🙂 we do “test simulators”… kind of like what I was sayin to @du_siemensabout the disco 🙂 cheers #eltchat |
| 12:46 pm | Marisa_C: | RT @BrunoELT: @Marisa_C I think the more you are familiar the better you can instruct your students towards a better achievement! #ELTchat |
| 12:46 pm | du_siemens: | If you say: “OMG, you’re really taking this exam? It’s REALLY difficult”. Students freak out. Try a lighter one, LOL. #ELTChat |
| 12:47 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | @englishraven @Marisa_C 4 country like Indonesia,very important 2get very far with knowing the detail.SS here expect u to know all #eltchat |
| 12:47 pm | chucksandy: | RT @bcnpaul1: fighting the system- yes. Fighting against what sts want- no. Good point.My fight’s against the system. Cram schools #eltchat |
| 12:47 pm | du_siemens: | @waykatewit That’s the spirit. #ELTChat |
| 12:47 pm | waykatewit: | @Marisa_C not really 🙂 #ELTChat |
| 12:47 pm | janetbianchini: | @Marisa_C Yes! More students take the FCE exam in Greece than in any other countries in Europe #ELTChat I did 3 months just FCE with 50 ss |
| 12:47 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | RT @chucksandy: lolonagi: Tim Murhphy’s book is referenced here:http://mashcollaboration.com/blog/ #eltchat |
| 12:47 pm | cintiastella: | Familiarity with a test saves Ss time. If they are familiarized, they don’t need to waste valuable time in reading the instructions #ELTChat |
| 12:47 pm | englishraven: | @rliberni Too right they are (easier)! Portfolios are great until you have to manage 100s of them in your own unpaid time #ELTChat |
| 12:47 pm | Marisa_C: | Have you ever used exam reports for learner training? #ELTchat |
| 12:47 pm | michelleworgan: | In Spain they have exams for any state job, they just love them! You can’t do anything without a certificate #eltchat |
| 12:47 pm | bymth: | RT @larisa1113: RT @cioccas: RT @Marisa_C: #ELTchat! Have you voted yet?http://twtpoll.com/1gwnaa I have! Pleas vote and RT |
| 12:48 pm | englishraven: | RT @Marisa_C: Have you ever used exam reports for learner training? #ELTchat > yes, with the YLEs. Quite useful. |
| 12:48 pm | rliberni: | @brad5patterson I love teaching IELTS 1:1 you can really get under the skin of the exam &show how stds can improve their perf. #eltchat |
| 12:48 pm | BobK99: | @janetbianchini #eltchat RT:@Marisa_C Good point! I think we as teachers need to be very familiar… Hence my pt abt o/l prep for o/lexams |
| 12:48 pm | rliberni: | RT @englishraven: RT @Marisa_C: Have you ever used exam reports for learner training? #ELTchat > yes, with the YLEs. Quite useful. |
| 12:48 pm | michelleworgan: | @Marisa_C Not much, they are too general – if they gave us country specific reports that might help more #eltchat |
| 12:48 pm | oyajimbo: | Just gave my student her FCE cert tonight. Priceless. #eltchat |
| 12:48 pm | Marisa_C: | RT @janetbianchini:Yes! More students take the FCE exam in Greece than in anywhere in Europe #ELTChat I did 3 months just FCE with 50 ss |
| 12:49 pm | juanalejandro82: | @Marisa_C #ELTChat yes! so they can notice what their weaknesses are |
| 12:49 pm | DaveDodgson: | @englishraven @rliberni Plus it’s easier for perspective employers to view a score than browse a life’s collection of work! #ELTchat |
| 12:49 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | @Marisa_C here,since the change of education system,it’s been hard to deal with exam especially for listening.Grammar’s cool though #eltchat |
| 12:49 pm | BrunoELT: | How so? RT @waykatewit: @Marisa_C not really 🙂 #ELTChat |
| 12:49 pm | sedayyildirim: | I really get upset for some of my students as I have to evaluate them by common ones #eltchat |
| 12:49 pm | michelleworgan: | @Marisa_C Or if they gave proper feedback on exam result statements rather than just “excellent, good, borderline and weak” #eltchat |
| 12:49 pm | bcnpaul1: | @chucksandy aaah! cram schools. Used to get JHS sts come to my english class after hours of cram class. they’d sit there motionless #eltchat |
| 12:50 pm | barbsaka: | So maybe some teachers (and students) like exam classes because there’s measurable accomplishment? (as opposed to general Eng) #eltchat |
| 12:50 pm | englishraven: | A task-based TOEFL coursebook has been on my radar for several years now. Just don’t think publishers would be interested. 🙂 #ELTChat |
| 12:50 pm | sandymillin: | #eltchat just here for last 10 minutes -shame as I introduced the topic! |
| 12:50 pm | BrunoELT: | RT @cintiastella: Familiarity with a test saves Ss time. When familiarized, they don’t need to waste time in reading instructions #ELTChat |
| 12:50 pm | bcnpaul1: | RT @michelleworgan: In Spain they have exams for any state job, they just love them! You can’t do anything without a certificate #eltchat |
| 12:50 pm | bcnpaul1: | RT @englishraven: @rliberni Too right they are (easier)! Portfolios are great until you have to manage 100s of them in your own unpaid time #ELTChat |
| 12:51 pm | michelleworgan: | Stds choose exam classes because they have extrinsic motivation only – need cert to get job later #eltchat |
| 12:51 pm | brad5patterson: | @rliberni I’ve had good success there too, especially w/ chinese students, who as mentioned here before, r challenged w/ oral exams #eltchat |
| 12:51 pm | sedayyildirim: | @rliberni there is both necessity and obligation #eltchat |
| 12:51 pm | NikkiFortova: | @sandymillin Great topic choice Sandy 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:51 pm | oyajimbo: | I’d say Japan exam-unhappy. #eltchat |
| 12:51 pm | barbsaka: | @sandymillin You can add the comment that puts it all in perspective…and catch up with the summary later 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:51 pm | BobK99: | @barbsaka Japan, yes! RT @Marisa_C: Greece is a very exam happy country – is yours? #ELTchatUK state systm (not ELT) v exam |
| 12:51 pm | sandymillin: | @barbsaka Thanks for your faith in me! #eltchat |
| 12:51 pm | michelleworgan: | It is an unfortunate attidtude to lang learning – only the result is important not the process #eltchat |
| 12:51 pm | BrunoELT: | #eltchat my sts complain that after taking Cambridge exams they do not get any feedback from Cambridge! I reckon this is very important |
| 12:51 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | @englishraven IELTS,TOEIC and standard indonesian high school final exam #eltchat |
| 12:52 pm | englishraven: | @yitzha_sarwono ‘Must-knows’ for Indonesian teachers of English? #ELTChat |
| 12:52 pm | DaveDodgson: | @michelleworgan My YLs don’t even have that – usually, the parents sign them up #ELTchat |
| 12:52 pm | BrunoELT: | What do u mean and how? RT @rliberni: RT @englishraven: RT @Marisa_C: exam reports for learner training? #ELTchat yes, with the YLEs. Useful |
| 12:52 pm | KarenInGreece: | RT @Marisa_C: RT @BrunoELT: @Marisa_C I think the more you are familiar the better you can instruct your students towards a better achievement! #ELTchat |
| 12:52 pm | sedayyildirim: | @barbsaka some of them are keen on criteriums 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:52 pm | waykatewit: | @BrunoELT @Marisa_C hoever, both in Ukr and Russia they seem to perceive exams as the inevitable evil 🙂 #ELTChat |
| 12:53 pm | michelleworgan: | @DaveDodgson Oh yes, with YLs it’s always the parents. But YLs usually have more intrinsic motivation, at least in primary years #eltchat |
| 12:53 pm | janetbianchini: | RT @barbsaka: So maybe some teachers (and students) like exam classes because there’s measurable accomplishment? (as opposed to general Eng) #eltchat |
| 12:53 pm | englishraven: | @lingliziya Do you and your Ss enjoy using that material? #ELTChat |
| 12:53 pm | BobK99: | @barbsaka …RT @Marisa_C: Greece is a very exam happy ctry – is yours? #ELTchat UK state sys (not ELT) v exam-happy: If it moves examine it |
| 12:53 pm | sandymillin: | #eltchat Don’t know if you’ve talked about this yet – how do you train new teachers to know how to mark speaking / writing? |
| 12:53 pm | chucksandy: | gotta pop out to finish packing for TESOL Arabia. Thanks for a good chat all! #eltchat |
| 12:53 pm | KarenInGreece: | RT @barbsaka: So maybe some teachers (and students) like exam classes because there’s measurable accomplishment? (as opposed to general Eng) #eltchat |
| 12:53 pm | sandymillin: | RT @michelleworgan: I also do mock exams around Feb/march before the June enrolment date so they (and I) can see a realistic score #eltchat |
| 12:53 pm | barbsaka: | @sedayyildirim Sort of like someone put it through a translator and back again? #eltchat (complex out of simple) |
| 12:53 pm | rliberni: | @oyajimbo I’m not advocating exams it was a bit tongue in cheek the problem with ELT students is they’re often transient #eltchat |
| 12:53 pm | bcnpaul1: | my biggest gripe is that however motivating an exam is, so many sts pass it then quit studying & learning… so what was the point? #eltchat |
| 12:54 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @bcnpaul1: my biggest gripe is that however motivating an exam is, so many sts pass it then quit studying & learning… so what was the point? #eltchat |
| 12:54 pm | rliberni: | RT @bcnpaul1: my biggest gripe is that however motivating an exam is, so many sts pass it then quit studying & learning… so what was the point? #eltchat |
| 12:54 pm | KarenInGreece: | @michelleworgan Same here. Need exams for almost all jobs #eltchat |
| 12:54 pm | barbsaka: | @bcnpaul1 Reasonable gripe, I think 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:54 pm | rliberni: | @bcnpaul1 I also have that sadness – but they come back later!! I get them and it’s a great shame #eltchat |
| 12:54 pm | englishraven: | @oyajimbo Yes, in theory. But this shouldn’t happen based on teacher’s unpaid time. #ELTChat |
| 12:54 pm | michelleworgan: | @bcnpaul1 I agree – it’s get the cert and that’s done, not a very enlightened attitude really #eltchat |
| 12:55 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | @englishraven only when you’re teaching in an english course where students expect you to make them pass all ^^ #eltchat |
| 12:55 pm | waykatewit: | @bcnpaul1 I tell my SS – 4 personal development. it broadens outlook dramatically if handled properly – broader discussions etc #ELTChat |
| 12:55 pm | englishraven: | @bcnpaul1 Yes, I have to admit that’s not a fun feeling (Ss say goodbye as soon as they get the score they need)… #ELTChat |
| 12:56 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | @chucksandy have a great trip mr.Sandy and hope you rock TESOL arabia! #eltchat |
| 12:56 pm | rliberni: | Have to shoot – what a great discussion and a grade A for moderators @barbsaka , @englishraven and @Marisa_C #eltchat |
| 12:56 pm | janetbianchini: | @sandymillin By observing more experienced teachers maybe? By shadowing them in a mock exam situation -this is a good way to learn #ELTChat |
| 12:56 pm | sandymillin: | @cintiastella Although they shouldn’t forget to read questions! Some of my SS think they know what to do, bt don’t answer properly #ELTChat |
| 12:56 pm | KarenInGreece: | @yitzha_sarwono @michelleworgan OUP has good books. Proficiency Masterclass for CPE is good #eltchat |
| 12:56 pm | michelleworgan: | RT @sandymillin: @cintiastella Although they shouldn’t forget to read questions! Some of my SS think they know what to do, bt don’t answer properly #ELTChat |
| 12:56 pm | englishraven: | @rliberni Seeya – thanks for the great moderation, as per usual! #ELTChat |
| 12:56 pm | barbsaka: | A+ for @rliberni! Have to shoot – what a great discussion and a grade A for moderators @barbsaka , @englishraven and @Marisa_C #eltchat |
| 12:56 pm | du_siemens: | Gotta go… spent last night at the hospital due to my throat. Can barely speak. See you guys and thank you for another wonderful #ELTChat. |
| 12:56 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | RT @englishraven: @bcnpaul1 Yes, I have to admit that’s not a fun feeling (Ss say goodbye as soon as they get the score they need)… #ELTChat |
| 12:56 pm | brad5patterson: | RT @du_siemens: I think that students’ attitude towards exams has a lot to do with how we see and teach them. #ELTChat |
| 12:57 pm | bcnpaul1: | @michelleworgan @rliberni @barbsaka if it wasn’t for that one small thing, I’d love exams!! 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:57 pm | janetbianchini: | RT @englishraven: @rliberni Seeya – thanks for the great moderation, as per usual! #ELTChat |
| 12:57 pm | sandymillin: | @janetbianchini Think observation is a good idea. My problem was always the finer distinctions between marks. Pass / fail no prob #ELTChat |
| 12:57 pm | lingliziya: | @englishraven #eltchat to be honest i HAVE to use the book. it’s a school rule, but from nxt sept i’m gonna use the book differently |
| 12:57 pm | KarenInGreece: | Is it over already? #eltchat |
| 12:57 pm | englishraven: | @KarenInGreece Hearing a few people say positive things about OUP’s exam prep stuff. They’re doing some good stuff online, too. #ELTChat |
| 12:57 pm | DaveDodgson: | @sandymillin @cintiastella The appearance of extra answers on matching questions always throws my YLs! #ELTchat |
| 12:58 pm | michelleworgan: | @bcnpaul1 I have to admit I’m not that keen on exam classes because of the pressure of having to fit in so much in little time #eltchat |
| 12:58 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | thanks! @KarenInGreece @michelleworgan #eltchat |
| 12:58 pm | TOEICtestBrasil: | RT @du_siemens: I think that students’ attitude towards exams has a lot to do with how we see and teach them. #ELTChat |
| 12:58 pm | janetbianchini: | You can achieve a great bond with an exam class because they all have common goal – have had lovely groups in the past #ELTChat |
| 12:58 pm | oyajimbo: | @sandymillin as an examiner trainer, teachers need classroom experience first #eltchat bit chicken/egg? |
| 12:58 pm | waykatewit: | @englishraven @bcnpaul1 and recommend you to other students who come and say hi 🙂 #ELTChat |
| 12:58 pm | michelleworgan: | @janetbianchini Maybe my main reason for not enjoying them is that stds expect me to do all the work and for them to pass! #eltchat |
| 12:58 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | @du_siemens get well soon ^^ #eltchat |
| 12:59 pm | barbsaka: | If you enjoyed chatting with your #eltchat colleagues, don’t forget to follow them so you can see their tweets even w/o the hashtag 🙂 |
| 12:59 pm | DaveDodgson: | @michelleworgan @bcnpaul1 I also dislike the fact that there is a kind of judgement on how successful the course has been #ELTchat |
| 12:59 pm | janetbianchini: | @sandymillin Yes, that is tricky. I think it boils down to grammatical accuracy sometimes when it’s a borderline case #ELTChat |
| 12:59 pm | englishraven: | RT @barbsaka: If you enjoyed chatting with your #eltchat colleagues, don’t forget to follow them so you can see their tweets even w/o the hashtag 🙂 |
| 12:59 pm | sandymillin: | @BobK99 Agree re: UK system – I was part of the most tested generation ever. Must have done 150+ exams inc. mocks in my life! #ELTchat |
| 12:59 pm | barbsaka: | @BobK99 We’re glad you made it, too! #eltchat |
| 12:59 pm | KarenInGreece: | @englishraven Yes they also have a good resource book for teachers “exam classes”. Full of useful tips and ideas #eltchat |
| 12:59 pm | bcnpaul1: | @rliberni @barbsaka @englishraven @Marisa_C thx for moderating. @sandymillin thx for choosing the topic.Jolly motivating stuff 🙂 #eltchat |
| 12:59 pm | DaveDodgson: | RT @janetbianchini: You can achieve a great bond with an exam class because they all have common goal <– I’ve found the same #ELTchat |
| 12:59 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | Had a blast! thanks @barbsaka @englishraven @Marisa_C #eltchat |
| 12:59 pm | englishraven: | @DaveDodgson True, but that is part of the art of being an exam prep teacher. If Ss have learned to take personal responsibility… #ELTChat |
| 12:59 pm | KarenInGreece: | RT @bcnpaul1: @rliberni @barbsaka @englishraven @Marisa_C thx for moderating. @sandymillin thx for choosing the topic.Jolly motivating stuff 🙂 #eltchat |
| 1:00 pm | lolonagi: | nice discussion, though I was a watcher 2day than a participant… 🙂 looking forward to the evening chat #eltchat |
| 1:00 pm | sandymillin: | @bcnpaul1 And after they quit, they lose the level, but still have the certificate and think they still have it! #eltchat |
| 1:00 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | RT @barbsaka: If you enjoyed chatting with your #eltchat colleagues, don’t forget to follow them so you can see their tweets even w/o the hashtag 🙂 |
| 1:00 pm | carlaraguseo: | @englishraven Sorry I missed #ELTChat |
| 1:00 pm | Dawg_Houston: | I have to admit I’m not that keen on exam classes because it is a pain in the ass. #eltchat |
| 1:00 pm | barbsaka: | Have to go, but see you all next week! #eltchat |
| 1:00 pm | NikkiFortova: | #eltchat Thanks for all the great ideas 🙂 |
| 1:00 pm | SimonGreenall: | Thank you to participants and moderators. #eltchat |
| 1:01 pm | bcnpaul1: | @michelleworgan it’s true – fitting so much in adds so much pressure to the experience that it’s not fun at all #eltchat |
| 1:01 pm | sandymillin: | @KarenInGreece Often think the problem with Proficiency is finding NON-exam-orientated books! #eltchat |
| 1:01 pm | janetbianchini: | @michelleworgan Aha! Maybe letting go a bit, and forcing ss to take on responsibility -learner autonomy strategies might work #ELTChat |
| 1:01 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | hear hear @DaveDodgson @michelleworgan @bcnpaul1 re:judgement on success #eltchat |
| 1:01 pm | englishraven: | Thanks everyone. Some interesting thoughts about exam prep. Thx to great moderators @barbsaka@rliberni @Marisa_C #ELTChat |
| 1:01 pm | Marisa_C: | Missed the last bit – had to go and find a video for my celta’s – but will work with transcript soon #ELTchat – anyone up for a summary? |
| 1:01 pm | janetbianchini: | RT @bcnpaul1: @rliberni @barbsaka @englishraven @Marisa_C thx for moderating. @sandymillin thx for choosing the topic.Jolly motivating stuff 🙂 #eltchat |
| 1:01 pm | cintiastella: | Wonderful chat, thank you everyone! Greetings from Perú #ELTChat |
| 1:02 pm | brad5patterson: | @bcnpaul1 maybe point is the cool linguistic experience… kinda like studying abroad for 2 months, then never usin the FL again. #eltchat |
| 1:02 pm | sandymillin: | @michelleworgan Agreed that pressure is high, but I think that can make u more creative. 1st year was horrible tho! (On 3rd now) #eltchat |
| 1:02 pm | michelleworgan: | @janetbianchini Yes, that what I was saying earlier, but I cannot force adults to be more autonomous or do work 🙁 #eltchat |
| 1:02 pm | Marisa_C: | Thanks a million to @riberni @barbsaka and @englishraven for great moderation – wasnt able to do much today sorry #ELTchat |
| 1:02 pm | sandymillin: | @oyajimbo Definitely! #eltchat |
| 1:02 pm | DaveDodgson: | @lingliziya I try to make the lessons themselves motivating & familiarise them with the format to reduce stress #ELTchat |
| 1:02 pm | waykatewit: | #ELTChat thank you colleagues, CU soon somewhere in the net :)) |
| 1:03 pm | janetbianchini: | Lovely, motivating chat as usual! Thank you to all fab #ELTChat moderators and participants |
| 1:03 pm | englishraven: | If you came into #ELTChat late today, I hope you’ll read and think about this post: http://bit.ly/ds3T9o(Changed my exam prepping life!) |
| 1:03 pm | michelleworgan: | @janetbianchini I set up a class blog but they don’t all participate and I can’t make them! They bsaically don’t like hard graft! #eltchat |
| 1:03 pm | yitzha_sarwono: | RT @englishraven: If you came into #ELTChat late today, I hope you’ll read and think about this post:http://bit.ly/ds3T9o (Changed my exam prepping life!) |
| 1:03 pm | sedayyildirim: | @barbsaka I didn’t mention it . Thank u #eltchat |
| 1:04 pm | michelleworgan: | @sandymillin I have taught FCE for 11 years, some good courses, stds ready to make an effort, others not so good (lazy) #eltchat |
| 1:05 pm | NikPeachey: | @michelleworgan Make it easy graft and get them creating fun stuff thatthey can embed into the blog #eltchat |
| 1:05 pm | brad5patterson: | thnx all for makin a newbie #eltchat experience fun… what a whirlwind. Have a pleasant rest to your week. 🙂 |
| 1:05 pm | janetbianchini: | @michelleworgan That is a shame. I like the idea of class blog – how about getting them to create their own blog? MIght that help? #ELTChat |
| 1:05 pm | Marisa_C: | RT @englishraven: If you came into #ELTChat late today, I hope you’ll read this post:http://bit.ly/ds3T9o (Changed my exam prepping life!) |
Recent Comments