JOURNAL

= = =** 16th February 2016 ** **What we did..**. = We focused on listening activities mainly: we tried the 1st part of C1 exam, then we practice the pronunciation of final ed ( regular verbs) and spoke about the importance of vowels in English We watched the following video and worked on its meaning media type="custom" key="29031183"
 * BACK HOME**
 * Video: Martina Caironi Paralympics London**

We listened to **//Did Henry Hudson survive the mutiny?//** from //**English Magazine**// level 3; then we analysed the different tools uploaded ( see TOOLS ) onto the wiki platform, including Activities from the British Council.

First, we should listen to the video //Martina Caironi Paralympics Rio// media type="custom" key="29031187" Then we have to fill in the related listening activities ( they include both the first and the second video)
 * FOR NEXT TIME WE SHOULD... ( HOMEWORK) **

Last but not least, we have to listen to and read ( in order to reach an in depth comprehension) the following articles from C1 //British Council// 1) [|The Eden Project] 2) [|The meaning of 'tingo']

KEEP IN MIND THE MORE YOU PRACTISE THE BETTER IT IS SO... Read whatever you can in English, Listen to the news from BBC / REUTERS for example and your favourite TV series Practise your pronunciation, reading/listening comprehension with English Magazine ( do not forget level 3). You have plenty of articles, you know Anyway, you have to vary topics as a larger vocabulary is necessary, definitely!!!

=**23rd February 2016 What we did.**=

=**We started from the entry test and revised the following grammar rules: if clauses (types 0,1,2,3, mixed types); verbs followed by -ing, or to; it's...since pattern; I'd better vs I'd rather; indirect questions; wh-questions; the double genitive; used to – be used to; need't have...didn't need to; use of should, could vs managed to, was able to, succeeded in.**= = = =**The following sietes may be helpful to you**= =**__ [] __**= =**__ [] __**= =It (be) Adj + Infinitve Clause vs. Gerund Clause (be) Adj=

=__http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/make-or-do.html__= =Make and do=

=**Homework**= =**From the Use of English section: UoE 1,2,3,4,5.**= =**From the Grammar exercises section: Phrasal verbs pages: 150,151,152,153.**= = = =The following exercises may help you with your practice. They have all got solutions.= __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[|http://www.focus.olsztyn.pl/en-preposition-quiz.html#.WLLMfG_hDIU]__ __[|http://www.focus.olsztyn.pl/en-prepositions-quiz.html#.WLLMnW_hDIU]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ http://www.english-4u.de/prep_of_time_ex6.htm __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[|http://www.focus.olsztyn.pl/en-present-perfect-continuous-quiz.html#.WLLPz2_hDIU]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__ __[]__
 * PREPOSITIONS**
 * QUESTION WORDS**
 * QUESTION TAGS**
 * ERROR RECOGNITION**
 * USEFUL IDIOMS**
 * VERBS**
 * -ing or to?**
 * PAST AND PERFECT TENSES**
 * IF CLAUSES**

30th March 2017 What we did.
We focused on writing... (C1 writing practice CAE); we revised the linking devices ( the 2 PDF documents at the top of the page) and we decided to wipe "but" and "and" out. Then, we recapped what we had done the previous class using other suitable connectors. We even tried the inversion ( typical of some connectors) e.g. : //**Hardly had we taken** our coats off when it was time to go//. //**Not only is she** intelligent, but also beautiful//

Internet was not working properly, anyway, we coul see the new Cambridge website were, just uploading our written performances we coul have an evaluation and some pieces of advice to improve : @https://writeandimprove.com/ Moreover, we could visualise some intresting C1 structures and expressions through the website: @http://www.englishprofile.org/english-grammar-profile/egp-online : We just have to tick C1 to get a complete list of expression, typical structures at C1 level.

Futhermore, we practised on the "Thesaurus" too ( Writing practice CAE) Last but not least, we practiced on a C1 Listening part 1, 2, 3.

HOMEWORK: We were given copies to practice another complete CAE listening test ( all parts), its audio files link has been uploaded onto whatsapp, therefore, we have to practise all its listening parts. Moreover, we have to memorize the linking devices and practise the writing activities on the given and above mentioned websites. THEN WE MUST NOT FORGET TO LISTEN... and read ...exploiting our English Magazine.... PLEASE CHECK YOUR SOLUTIONS for MS CAIRONI's videos. ( the solutions have been uploaded next to the task)

**6th April 2016 What we did.**
We revised the second part of the entry test and UoE exercises 1, 2, 3. Meanwhile we brushed up the following grammar rules: let, make and get to (both in their active and passive uses), the difference between perfect and past perfect tenses (simple and continuous), the inversion, the modals must and have to (present and past forms).


 * HOMEWORK**

=**ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT PRACTICE IS VITAL IF YOU WANT TO REMEMBER WHAT YOU HAVE JUST LEARNT!!!**=

To be revised: UoE exercises 4,5. To be done: UoE exercises 6,7,8,9,10.

Please, try even the following exercises:

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/inversion-exercise-1.html n.1 __[]__ n.2 __[]__

http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/modalquiz.html =20th April 2017. What we did...= We devoted ourselves to writing and listening. We scanned some essays ( CAE writing performances) and we focused on the main characteristics: structure ( title, introduction, paragraphs, conclusion), content, communicative achivement, organisation, language: abbreviations, linkers, grammar items. We focused on how we could improve the langage used in the above mentioned performance. We revised 1st listening test Cambridge English Advanced Practice Tests Pearson. Although, the test was a tough one, 2 or 3 people might have passed it.........
 * One student** ( what a pity!!! just one!!!) of our group had practised on the web site: @https://writeandimprove.com/ and had reached a C1 evaluation, we focused on this C1 performance too.

We analysed the key words that might have suggested the right soultions to us


 * __ HERE YOU CAN FIND ITS SOLUTIONS __** (for those you could not attend our last meeting)
 * 1A, 2C, 3A, 4C, 5C, 6B, 7 ARABIC, 8 21, 9 (the) WIND, 10 SHOULDER(S), 11SMELL, 12 (LITTLE) MICE, 13 FEATHERS, 14 BOTTLE CAPS (TOPS), 15 B, 16A, 17 C, 18B, 19 C, 20F, 21 B, 22 F, 23H, 24 E, 25 A, 26 B, 27 C, 28 G, 29 F, 30D. **

We practised our listening skills with English Magazine, our on line platform. http://www.english-magazine.com/ and we listened to =// The School in the Cloud. Is this the future of learning? //= at different levels (1,2,3) with and without texts. ( January - February 2017) We focused on the tecniques we could use to improve our listening. Anyway, the best one is **PRACTICE AND PRACTICE AND PRACTICE**


 * __//Not only was the article effective//__, but interesting too.**
 * //The school in the Cloud// is an article about teaching/learning methodology.**


 * HOMEWORK (This is not just a homework ... it's a challenge for us as teachers)**

media type="custom" key="29143473"
 * Listening/ reading practice:**
 * Listen to and read ... //The School in the Cloud ( English Magazine Jan-Feb 2017)//** at different levels, with or without texts again, then, in order to know something more about it ... here you are... listen to this video about the same topic.....

Finally... read the following slide show. It is the final product of an updating course held at International House about the SOLE methodology. ** Next time we are devoting some minutes to speak about it. **



( the teacher gave copies of these exercises last time ) the audio files can be found at **https://www.english.com/practicetestsplus/practicetestsplus.html?page=audio_advanced** YOU CAN FIND THE AUDIO SCRIPTS AT This activity is good as a reading activity too.
 * LAST BUT NOT LEAST: LISTENING TEST N2**
 * THEN**
 * REPEAT LISTENING TEST 1**
 * https://www.english.com/practicetestsplus/practicetestsplus.html?page=audioscripts_advanced**

Organising CAE reports: reason for writing, achievements, difficulties, requirements, closing comments.
Using formal language.

36. ANNOUNCED, 37. PRESTIGIOUS.
=__HOMEWORK__=

__CAE WRITING PRACTICE: the following sites are really useful for your practice, please view them.__
__**https://cnmvslobozia.ro/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/CAE-.pdf** __ __[]__ __[]__ __https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2zTjN7AQ24__

__** USE OF ENGLISH PRACTICE CAE: no. 9,10,11,12,13. **__
n.3 __[]__ n.4 __[]__ n.5 __[]__
 * TRANSORMATION EXERCISES: **

= 18th May what we did... = http://www.examenglish.com/CAE/cae_listening1.htm We practised our listening skills using the above mentioned website. We focused on pre- listening activities, while listening activities, after listening activities to improve our understanding. We focused on listening activities 1 and listening 3 mainly. Then we revised the structure of the essay; next time we are focusing on the other possibilities as far as the writing activities are concerned.

Anyway, as a homework, you have to repeat the activities already done and then practise the other activities present in the above-pasted webpage. That means all the exercises listed on your right, 2 and 4 exercises included.

We realised the listening procedures might be hard if you your vocabulary knowledge is limited. Therefore here you are!!! some vocabulary exercises that might be a real fun.... choose from the list on your left and practice ... and go on with the exercises as much as you can... let's say a group of words everyday ( repeating the exercises more then once). http://www.examenglish.com/vocabulary/academic_word_list_group2.htm And do not forget to practise the English language on dayly basis using "English Magazine"

31st May 2017 What we did...
As usual, we started with the revision of our homework: __** USE OF ENGLISH PRACTICE CAE: no. 9,10,11,12,13 **__ and tried to understand how to cope with: vocabulary coice,completing the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given, how to form a word. After that we focused on phral verbs: and CALL and SET - We also examined the WRITING makeovers: http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cae/students/writing/makeover/archive.htm, in particular: the layout of a FORMAL LETTER and of an ESSAY.
 * 1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onK_YRj-XD0
 * 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EJqq9hBQjs

1st June 2017 What we did...
We revised the use of formal language, at : CAE Reports 3: Formal Language - __https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2zTjN7AQ24__ After that we examined some makeovers at: We finally viewed the following phrasal verb videos:
 * http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cae/students/writing/makeover/archive.htm (essay and report). **
 * 1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrXt9yrZryg (TAKE)
 * 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPKZWe2Ej2g (RUN)