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

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

3. Yes we can! Professional Development 3

4. 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

5. 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!

6. 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

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

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

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

10. Simple logic Professional Development 10

11. Preparation Professional Development 11 Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

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

13. Getting familiar with Professional Development 13 the exam

14. Practise makes perfect! Professional Development 14 Past papers

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

17. 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 120-150 words applying for the job in the advert.

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

20. Solutions-speaking Professional Development 20

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

22. 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..

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

24. Reading Professional Development 24

25. Listening Professional Development 25

26. Relate it to them Professional Development 26

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

28. Revision tips Professional Development 28

29. Revise in a way that Professional Development 29 suits you

30. 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”

31. Example mind map Professional Development 31

32. 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

33. 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

34. In the exam Professional Development 34

35. 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

36. Digital Resources Professional Development 36

37. It’s their world Professional Development 37

38. What’s available? Professional Development 38

39. itools Professional Development 39

40. www.oup.com/elt/solutions www.oup.com/elt/teachers/solutions www.oup.com/elt Websites Professional Development 40

41. www.oup.com/elt/solutions Professional Development 41

42. Professional Development 42 www.oup.com/elt/solution s

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

48. 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

49. 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

50. Professional Development 50 Can we do exams? Yes we can! Thank you for your participation! ushapa@hotmail.co.uk