Can we do exams? Yes we can! Exam preparation and digital resources Ushapa Fortescue Moscow, Russia October 2012

Introduction Professional Development 2 How we can prepare students for exams Underprepared Overwhelmed

Yes we can! Professional Development 3

Outline of the session… Professional Development 4 The problems students have with exams How we can help them over come some of these problems How to relax and empower students about exams Digital resources

Why students don’t do well Professional Development 5 in exams In small groups, brainstorm the: reasons why students don’t do well in exams Think of specifics. You have two minutes!

Reasons students don’t do Professional Development 6 well in exams Got too stressed in the exam and froze Got too stressed in the exam and froze Not enough revision or revised the wrong things Misread the question Missed answering part of the question Didn’t write/say enough Didn’t answer the question accurately Ran out of time in exam

Reasons students don’t do well Professional Development 7 in exams Preparation Exam performance

Reasons students don’t do well Professional Development 8 in exams Preparation Exam performance

The main reasons students do well in exams Professional Development 9 Prepared Confident

Simple logic Professional Development 10

Preparation Professional Development 11 Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

Make it manageable Professional Development 12 “There’s only one way to eat an elephant, one piece at a time”

Getting familiar with Professional Development 13 the exam

Practise makes perfect! Professional Development 14 Past papers

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Answer the question! Professional Development 16 If the monkey wants a banana, give the monkey a banana!

Highlight the bananas! Professional Development 17 Reading Read the texts. Match the texts (A-E) with the statements (1-7). Each text can be used more than once. Write the line number where you can find evidence of the statement. Writing Write a formal letter of words applying for the job in the advert.

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Speaking Professional Development 19 Fluency Accuracy Pronunciation/stress Variety of language (grammar accuracy) Confidence!

Solutions-speaking Professional Development 20

2 minute topics Professional Development 21 Holidays Films Talk about a restaurant you really liked Do you think that aliens exist? Family Music

Crib sheets Professional Development 22 Compare And Contrast Describe the picture For and against Adding more information On the other hand, In contrast too, Whereas, The first picture clearly shows…… In my opinion, It can be said, Another point is, Firstly, Secondly, In addition to this..

Writing Professional Development 23 Start Plan the answer End Check the answer

Reading Professional Development 24

Listening Professional Development 25

Relate it to them Professional Development 26

Helping with revision Professional Development 27 When? Where? How?

Revision tips Professional Development 28

Revise in a way that Professional Development 29 suits you

Revision techniques for Professional Development 30 visual learners use pictures make mind maps make big colourful posters colour code notes key words on “post-its”

Example mind map Professional Development 31

Revision techniques for Professional Development 32 auditory learners talk over the work with someone else tape notes and play them back listen to music while revising – no words make up rhymes or raps about work get someone to ask them questions about the work

Revision techniques for Professional Development 33 kinaesthetic learners notes on cards and sequence them walk between notes or “post-its” on the floor walk around while reading stand up – stretch or exercise – at least every 20 minutes draw pictures, mind maps – run a finger between the words on the map, say each one out loud

In the exam Professional Development 34

To sum up….. Professional Development 35 Identify why students fear exams Make everything “bite size” Give lots of practise Make lessons fun Build their confidence

Digital Resources Professional Development 36

It’s their world Professional Development 37

What’s available? Professional Development 38

itools Professional Development 39

Websites Professional Development 40

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Apps for phones and iPads Professional Development 47 Graded readers Oxford Bookworms Dictionaries Course book Specific apps

Words app Professional Development 48 Look it up: Choose how you view words from Solutions 2nd edition: by unit, by topic, or as a dictionary. Over 1000 useful words included for each level. Define: Choose a word and tap on the screen to see the definition and word in context. Listen: Tap on the audio icon to hear the word spoken in English. Repeat and improve. Practise: Design and play our interactive quizzes: Test your knowledge of the meanings of words with our multiple choice quizzes Drag and drop words into contextual sentences to check how words are used

To sum up…….. Professional Development 49 Technology engages teenagers It changes the learning environment Students can access learning more conveniently Investigate what’s available Experiment with the new technology

Professional Development 50 Can we do exams? Yes we can! Thank you for your participation!