Can we do exams? Yes we can!
Exam preparation and digital resourcesUshapa Fortescue
Moscow, Russia October 2012
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IntroductionHow we can prepare students for exams
Underprepared
Overwhelmed
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Yes we can!
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Outline of the session…
• 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
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Why students don’t do well in exams
In small groups, brainstorm the:reasons why students don’t do well in exams
Think of specifics.
You have two minutes!
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Reasons students don’t dowell in exams
Got too stressedin the exam and
froze
Not enough
revision or revised
the wrong thingsMisread
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
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Reasons students don’t do wellin exams
Preparation Exam performance
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Reasons students don’t do wellin exams
Preparation Exam performance
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The main reasons students do well in exams
Prepared Confident
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Simple logic
Confidence
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PreparationFailing to prepare is preparing to fail
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Make it manageable
“There’s only one way toeat an elephant,one piece at a time”
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Getting familiar withthe exam
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Practise makes perfect!Past papers
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Answer the question!
If the monkey wants a banana, give the
monkey a
banana!
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Highlight the bananas!
ReadingRead 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.
WritingWrite a formal letter of 120-150 words applying for the job in the advert.
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Speaking
• Fluency• Accuracy• Pronunciation/stress• Variety of language
(grammar accuracy)
•Confidence!
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Solutions-speaking
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2 minute topics
Holidays Films
What kind of art do you like?
Talk about a restaurant you really
liked
Do you think that aliens
exist?
Family Music
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Crib sheets
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..
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Writing
Start Plan the answer
End Check the answer
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Reading
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Listening
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Relate it to them
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Helping with revision
When?Where?How?
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Revision tips
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Revise in a way thatsuits you
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Revision techniques forvisual learners
•use pictures •make mind maps•make big colourful posters•colour code notes•key words on “post-its”
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Example mind map
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Revision techniques forauditory 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
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Revision techniques forkinaesthetic 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
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In the exam
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To sum up…..
• Identify why students fear exams• Make everything “bite size”• Give lots of practise• Make lessons fun• Build their confidence
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Digital Resources
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It’s their world
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What’s available?
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itools
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www.oup.com/elt/solutions
www.oup.com/elt/teachers/solutions
www.oup.com/elt
Websites
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www.oup.com/elt/solutions
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www.oup.com/elt/solutions
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Apps for phones and iPads
Graded readersOxford Bookworms
Dictionaries Course bookSpecific apps
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Words appLook 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
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To sum up……..
• Technology engages teenagers• It changes the learning environment • Students can access learning more
conveniently• Investigate what’s available• Experiment with the new technology
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Can we do exams?
Yes we can!
Thank you for your participation!
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