Group Photos

Sadly, all good things must come to an end.....at least for a while. 

And so it is with our short intensive course.

*****

Meet someone special, Diana. Married on November 30th, the day before we began, she is the new bride in the class. (You can see the happiness written on her face!) From all of us, very warm congratulations. Imagine, being so dedicated that she's spending her 'honeymoon' with Pro-ELT!

The customary formal and freestyle group photos.

Wow! What a wonderful group of people! 

I have been graced with traditional Sarawak attire for Naomi, and an accessory for me. 

Thank you!

And a most beautiful piece of Sarawak ceramic work. Again, thank you!

Just to give you an idea of how hard everyone has been working...an overloaded circuit!

Definitely, it's time to take some holidays!

Wednesday

Day 3

Teacher led-activity
Pro ELT Video Diaries

Preparing model answers for Aptis Speaking Tests

Morning Session

Today's "warm up" was outside in bright sunshine, making our videos, and taking group photos. (It was hot out there!)

Pro ELT Video Diaries
The videos, short and sweet, may be found at this link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kp14hsqs7dp6zxy/AABJW73T9u8I9ljQHP2B6bTDa?dl=0

Preparing model answers for Aptis Speaking Test
In pairs, the CPs are using the Aptis Test Prep booklet, and a Mock Test to coach each other through the whole test.

They're referring to their peer-to-peer feedback from yesterday, when we reviewed their group presentation videos, and to the samples provided, here. (Thanks Pete.)
Perusing the EAQUALS document to find C1 level expressions or grammar. they can use in their answers. Then, as part of the Aptis prep, they'll work in pairs, giving feedback and recording their speaking, while being timed.

Key aims today are focussing on C1 level language and also overcoming test-phobia, by "playing with" Aptis, until it is a familiar process. Supporting each other while learning and fine-tuning their test-taking skills.

Our class song.....

We've changed the lyrics to include, "Aptis all the way!"
(Not "Aptis Go Away!")

By posting our study material on our blog, or by using e-mail... 

...we have gone completely paper-free.

And, apart from saving a tree or two.... 

....it's enabled us to study and prepare for Aptis more efficiently.

Aptis Candidate Guide

At the end of this course you will be sitting for the Aptis test. It is important that you know what this test is all about. You can find a helpful guide HERE. Also, you will receive a test-prep booklet by e-mail.

Tuesday

Day 2 - Tuesday

Summary:

Teacher led-activity - 

Morning Session 8-9.30

Teacher led-activity

Teacher led activity (same procedure as Monday)

Each CP intruduces themselves, and tells the group something special about themselves.

Late Morning Session 10-12.30 .

Feedback from the Progress Test – vocabulary and grammar sections

I would like you Declan to go through the vocabulary and grammar parts of the progress test with them, and clear up any doubts about the vocabulary and grammar that they may have had (30 minutes)

Follow-up on the Dragons' Exercise
Watch the videos made yesterday. As the comments section has been switched on, each of the groups will receive language feedback from their peers, the emphasis being on providing constructive feedback. 

Watching the video presentations, looking for language which needs correcting.

"What an amazing presentation we did!"

The End Of Every Word

Time for a TV break to improve your English and share a few laughs for a while. Listen closely to their speech, at C1 level and higher! (Nothing 'haram' here, but it may not be suitable for your children.)

 

The Dragon's Den

The lesson plan for this is available in the mail I sent you.  
You need to record this on a camera / ipad / tablet etc. 
You are going to watch this after lunch.

When preparing their pitches I would like you to:

1.      Encourage as much use of C1 level expressions as possible – the students have a hand-out from the EQUALS document which contains C1 level phrases.  Please ask them to use these in their pitches. E.g. “I’m absolutely certain you will love our product”

2.      Tell them they cannot refer to notes in their pitches. (Too late!)

Just like in Dragon’s Den you need 4 students to be the dragons.  Each student will have a chance to be a dragon.  Again when asking questions to the ‘inventors’ I’d like you Declan to ask them to incorporate C1 level expressions into their questions. E.g. “Suppose I invested in your product, what would you do with the money?”

The pitches and questions and investment decisions should take about 15 minutes each.

I always like to get teachers to think "outside the box."

So, let's put the theory to the test...

A key resource for you...here.

"Enter the Dragons!" (Listen!)

Group 1 - "A to Z Inc."

The MPP (Multi-Purpose Pen)

Group 2 - Sarawak Genius Corp. Inc.

Zoom+ECut

Group 3 - Sarawak Mobile Inc.

HB Solar Handphone

Group 3 - Fan C. Inc.

Multipurpose Laptop

The videos can be found at this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r559ziqwz6whgf5/AADrfUKKMZA15ESZPRMVPDGNa?dl=0

Declan's Choice For "Real" New Product Of The Year 2014
Especially if you're out of cellphone range in Sabah and Sarawak.

C1 Language

Here's the link to the CEFR document: http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/cadre1_EN.asp?,your essential guidelines. And a short video about how the CEFR is being adopted in Canada. In adopting the CEFR Malaysia is among the world leaders in language teaching and learning.

Here you can see the clear differences between speaking B2 and speaking C1. 

Time to boost your use of the language!

B2	C1
Expressing opinions “I really don’t think it’s a good idea”	Expressing shades of opinion and certainty “I’m absolutely certain that it would be a disaster.”
Future perfect simple “There is no problem if we want to leave early as the match will have finished by that time	Future perfect simple to make assumptions about the present “As you will have heard, this year's conference was in general a success.”
Discourse Markers E.g. Despite, although, in spite of	Informal and Formal Discourse Markers E.g. On top of that, mind you, consequently, subsequently
2nd conditional  “If I were you I wouldn’t buy that.”	Wish, if only structures “I wish I had known that earlier then I wouldn’t have bought the product.”
Would to express habits in the past “When I was younger I would go to bed at 7pm”	Negative Adverbials “Not only was he shabby but he was also dull.”
	Idiomatic expressions “It would cost an absolute arm and a leg.”
Simple Passive Structures I am writing to inform you about the changes that have been made.	Passives with dummy ‘it’ In addition, it has been found that some products were difficult to find.

C1 Level Vocabulary to describe things

·         abnormal adjective C1

·         alongside adverb, preposition NEXT TO C1

·         angle noun SPACE C1

·         appalling adjective BAD C1

·         at the very least C1

·         authentic adjective C1

·         average adjective NOT EXCELLENT C1

·         beyond adverb PLACE C1

·         bulky adjective C1

·         comparable adjective C1

·         comparatively cheap/easy/little, etc. C1

·         a good deal C1

·         disastrous adjective C1

·         dull adjective NOT BRIGHT C1

·         fabulous adjective C1

·         fake adjective C1

·         filthy adjective DIRTY C1

·         good adjective LARGE C1

·         graceful adjective MOVEMENT/SHAPE C1

·         harsh adjective TOO STRONG C1

·         high adverb AMOUNT/LEVEL C1

  

·         immense adjective C1

·         inadequate adjective NOT GOOD C1

·         inadequate adjective NOT ENOUGH C1

·         inferior adjective C1

·         insignificant adjective C1

·         intense adjective EXTREME C1

·         length noun BOOK, ETC. C1

·         little adverb NOT ENOUGH C1

·         luxurious adjective C1

·         middle adjective NOT HIGH OR LOW C1

·         mild adjective SLIGHT C1

·         minimal adjective C1

·         moderate adjective C1

·         monotonous adjective C1

·         much determiner, pronoun A LOT OF C1

·         mundane adjective C1

·         noticeable adjective C1

·         numerous adjective C1

·         pleasurable adjective C1

·         portable adjective C1

·         repetitive adjective C1

http://www.englishprofile.org/index.php/wordlists/free-subscription

·         reputable adjective C1

·         scarce adjective C1

·         scenic adjective C1

·         shabby adjective UNTIDY C1

·         simultaneous adjective C1

·         solid adjective NOT LIQUID/GAS C1

·         spacious adjective C1

·         sparkling adjective SPECIAL C1

·         splendid adjective C1

·         staggering adjective C1

·         state-of-the-art adjective C1

·         stormy adjective ARGUING C1

·         strip noun C1

·         sufficiently adverb C1

·         tedious adjective C1

·         terrific adjective LARGE/SERIOUS C1

·         this adverb C1

·         throughout preposition EVERYWHERE C1

·         tranquil adjective C1

·         unspoiled adjective C1