Ca’ Foscari – Trinity College London Co-certification in English

Preparing for ISE 3 Be familiar with the structure Do a practice test and time yourself Use practice materials: Materials on CMM website Materials on Trinity website

New exam structure (2016) A written exam (reading to writing) An oral interview with an external examiner from UK The two parts are reported separately

In detail: the written exam ‘Long’ reading for comprehension Multi text reading for comprehension Summary writing from multiple texts Critical writing Exam lasts for 2 hours

Activity types in written exam Long reading: match paragraphs to titles; T/F; complete sentences with words from text (15 points) Multi-text reading: match texts to summaries; T/F: complete summaries with words from texts (15 points) Reading into writing: write a summary of the four texts (ISE 2: words; ISE 3: words) Critical writing: Write an essay on a given topic (ISE 2: words; ISE 3: words)

Critical writing ISE 3 The critical writing task involves academic writing on topics which should be accessible to students with a European cultural background. The construct which informs the task is: Can write a critical appraisal of a work of art, such as a novel, a film, or a collection of poetry, or present a critical overview of a cultural phenomenon, such as an institution or a lifestyle, or of an economic, historical or linguistic issue, isolating and developing the main thrust of the argument with some assurance, identifying supporting themes or typical features, and evaluating the work appropriately against the background to which it belongs.

Past critical writing tasks ISE 3 Some political commentators believe the European Union (EU) has failed in its wider purpose of promoting social and political unity. Write an essay discussing the role of the EU today and highlighting its achievements and limitations. ‘Does the idea of utopia still have relevance in today’s society?’ Write an essay exploring this question and saying whether or not you believe it is necessary to hope that the future will be better than the present. ‘Is it right for society as a whole to bear the costs of an economic crisis generated by the speculations of a minority?’ Write an essay exploring this question and discussing some of the moral issues involved. ‘Do schools and universities spend too much time testing students?’ Write an essay examining the issues involved in testing students and proposing alternatives to the current system of assessment..

Assessment criteria for R + W 15 points per section Sections 1 and 2 are objective tests of reading Sections 3 and 4 are subjective tests of writing

Tips for writing Plan your work using the space for notes Structure your text in paragraphs (two or three) Structure your sentences with a subject and a verb! Use punctuation Introduce examples with such as …. Express contrast with but, However, in contrast with….. Express concession with although…. Read through your work and check agreements, etc.

In detail: the oral exam Prepared topic: formal presentation and discussion (8’) Collaborative task (5’) Conversation (3’) Independent listening (8’) Exam lasts for 25 mins (C1)

Assessment criteria for oral Communicative effectiveness Interactive listening Language control Delivery Independent listening Criteria are equally weighted, each one carrying 4 points

Ideas for presentations English writers in the Dolomites Carp fishing A village fete in the Veneto Working with homeless people in Rome Internet marketing Giorgione: an experiment in colour Bono: more than a rock star Remembering Hemingway in San Donà' My experience as a teaching assistant in an English class Working as an usher in a theatre Learing to dance the tango

Topics for conversation ISE 3 IndependenceThe media AmbitionsAdvertising SterotypesLifestyles Role modelsThe arts CompetitivenessIndividual’s rights Economic issuesYoung people’s rights Higher Education (Co-certification only)

The certificate Certificate (Ca’ Foscari and Trinity logos) with three grades: Writing: Pass, Merit or Distinction Speaking: Pass, Merit or Distinction Can be converted to a numerical score /30

Timetable Written exam Wednesday March 9th a.m. Aula Santa Marta Nuova you MUST COME by 9.30 for registration Oral interviews April 4th- 15th