Thursday, 30 October 2014

EXAM DATES: SATURDAY & MON / WED CLASSES


The exam for the Saturday group will be on November 8th.

The exam for the Mon / Wed group will be on Wednesday 5th and Wed 12th. (There is no class on Mon 10th.)


For extra practice, don't miss the links below.

Reading & Use of English:
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/tsindex.htm

Writing:
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/writing/index.htm

Listening:
http://www.examenglish.com/FCE/fcelistening.htm

Wednesday, 29 October 2014

Class 29.10.14


In this class we studied pages 22 & 23

Speaking:
What are 'family values'? How are they changing?
Virgin territory tourism.

Listening:
Antartic tourism.
Vocabulary:
Formal Vs informal writing.

Grammar:
Review of present tenses.
Word formation.

Exam preparation:
Speaking Task
Listening Task

Homework:
SB p.23 Ex 4 + 5.
WB p.8, EX1

Monday, 27 October 2014

Class 27.10.14


In this class we studied pages 18 - 21

Speaking:
Interesting you.

Vocabulary:
Formal Vs informal writing.

Grammar:
Review of present tenses.
Word formation.

Exam preparation:
Writing Folder 1

Homework:
Workbook p.7 EX 4, 5 & 7

Also, as promised, in the link below, you will find information and practice activities for FCE and other Cambridge exams.

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk
h

Saturday, 25 October 2014

Class Saturday 25.10.14

Class Saturday 25.10.14


In this class we studied pages 15 - 21

Speaking:
Discussion on computer games and their users.

Reading:
Skimming & scanning of computer game reviews.

Vocabulary:
Collocations
Computer games
The internet.
Formal Vs informal writing.
Grammar:
Review of present tenses.
Spelling of ..ly adverbs

Exam preparation:
Key word transformation
Writing Folder 1
Homework:
Workbook p.7
Also, in the link below, you will find 9 different sections for practising 'Key Word Transformation'. Do the first two from each section. Print or copy down both the original sentence and your answer, and bring them to class on Monday.

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/strategy/p3pt3a.htm

Finally, spend at least 15 minutes on the vocabulary review game below. take a note of your best scores to compare with your classmates on Sat 8th.
http://quizlet.com/34604241/objective-first--unit-1-phrasal-verbs-go-flash-cards/

Wednesday, 22 October 2014

Class Mon/Wed 22.10.14


In this class we studied pages 15-17

Speaking:
Discussion on computer games and their users.

Reading:
Skimming & scanning of computer game reviews.

Vocabulary:
Collocations
Computer games
The internet.

Grammar:
Review of present tenses.
Spelling of ..ly adverbs

Exam preparation:
Key word transformation

Homework:
Student's book p.18, Ex.1 + 3 + 4.
Alsso, in the link below, you will find 9 different sections for practising 'Key Word Transformation'. Do the first two from each section. Print or copy down both the original sentence and your answer, and bring them to class on Monday.

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/strategy/p3pt3a.htm

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

Objective First Certificate Unit 1 Review



Objective First Certificate Unit 1 phrasal verbs go

Here's a link to a site that uses computer games to review vocabulary from every unit of Objective First.  Enjoy.

http://quizlet.com/34604241/objective-first--unit-1-phrasal-verbs-go-flash-cards/

H

Monday, 20 October 2014

Class 20.10.14 (Mon-Wed)

In this class we studied pages 11 - 13.

Vocabulary:
Phrasal verbs of fashion.
Phrasal verbs with go.

Grammar:
Comparatives & superlatives review.

Exam preparation:
Key word transformation

Homework:
Student's book
p. 14 + 15 Key word transformation.
See also blog entry 'Key word transformation'

Sunday, 19 October 2014

BBC Learning English



We mentioned BBC Learning English in class, so here's a link to one of the features on the site:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/witn/ep_141001

'Words in the news' offers short videos with the complete transcripts and a glossary for less common words and phrases, so you get a lot of support. It also offers you the chance to practice, working with the vocabulary in context.

This is a brand-new version of the page, and the BBC promise it will continue to grow.

Enjoy.

PRE FCE (Saturday) 18.10.14


In this class we studied pages 10 - 15.

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary of fashion.
Phrasal verbs of fashion.
Phrasal verbs with go.

Grammar:
Comparatives & superlatives review.

Exam preparation:
Key word transformation
(See also blog entry 'Key word transformation')

Homework:
Prepare 5 questions to ask your classmates on the FCE exam format, eg. 'How many extracts will you hear in Part 3 of the Listening Paper?'
Workbook
p. 4 Vocabulary & Spelling Ex. 1 + 2.
p. 5 Phrasal verbs Ex. 3

'100 Writing tips'
p.2 Ex. 1 (Crossword).

Student's book
p. 15 Key word transformation.

Friday, 17 October 2014

FCE Practice


WELCOME TO PRE-FCE

You're now preparing for the First Certificate English exam. In the link below you'll find example activities based on the exam itself. These practice tests are a great way to become familiar with the format of the exam, and the kind of tasks you'll be asked to complete. Flo-jo not only asks the question, but also gives helpful advice, and provides the answer so you can check your progress.

All exam tasks:
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/fce-2015.htm

Key word transformation: (9 different areas)
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/strategy/p3pt3a.htm

Key word Transformation:
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/2_strtest3.htm

Monday, 13 October 2014

Problem with invitations.


Hi, everyone.
Thanks very much for the mails I've already got. (If you haven't sent yours yet, please include 'PRE FCE Saturdays' in the subject when you do.)
You may be wondering why you haven't recieved your invitations yet, and it's because Blogger has made a few changes to its page, so that instead of inviting you as usual through 'Settings', now I only have 'Permissions'. So far, so good, but the problem is that the only alternative Blogger offers in 'Permissions' is to remove myself from my own blog! Not exactly what I'm looking for.
Please be patient, and if you have any suggestions I'd be glad to hear them.
See you on Saturday.
Tom.

Friday, 10 October 2014

Welcome letter from CSIM 2014-15

Madrid, 10 de octubre 2014
Estimados estudiantes:
El equipo directivo del Centro Superior de Idiomas Modernos (en adelante CSIM) os quiere dar la bienvenida a sus cursos en este nuevo año académico 2014-2015 con el deseo de que sea provechoso para todos. En este centro de la Universidad Complutense trabajamos con ilusión y entrega por ofrecer un servicio de idiomas de calidad, que os ayude a afrontar los numerosos retos de vuestra vida laboral y social.
Os informamos de que en el CSIM nos regimos por el Marco de referencia europeo, documento elaborado por el Consejo de Europa, en el que se definen, de manera precisa al tiempo que flexible, los niveles de dominio lingüístico exigidos por los exámenes y programas de evaluación existentes, lo que facilita la comparación entre los sistemas educativos y la equivalencia de los certificados en toda Europa. Es importante destacar que cada nivel no corresponde de manera sistemática a un curso académico o a un número rígido de horas de estudio.
Resaltamos la conveniencia de asistir a clase regularmente y participar en las actividades propuestas por el profesor ya que para la calificación definitiva, la evaluación continua se valora en un 60% y el examen final en un 40%. El profesor, por su parte, cumplirá los objetivos de los programas establecidos e informará a sus alumnos de las pruebas que éstos tengan que realizar. Además, proporcionará trabajos de recuperación a aquellos alumnos que justifiquen sus ausencias y pedirá al menos dos veces al año vuestras opiniones sobre el curso con el fin de adaptarse al máximo a las diferentes necesidades de cada grupo.
Recordamos asimismo algunas normas: entregar la ficha cumplimentada al profesor la primera semana de clase, llegar a clase con puntualidad y respetar el plazo de reclamaciones. Y recordamos que los cursos de viernes y sábado también son de 75 horas sin que se contabilice ningún día de fiesta en este cálculo.
Al término del curso, los estudiantes que hayan asistido regularmente y hayan superado el examen final recibirán un certificado indicando el título del curso realizado, el nivel, las horas y la calificación final obtenida. Este certificado, que expide la Secretaría Académica del CSIM, se podrá recoger en las oficinas de la Secretaría del CSIM (edificio Multiusos, 2ª planta), un mes después de finalizado el curso.
Aquellos alumnos que lo hayan solicitado, también podrán recoger en Secretaría el Certificado de Reconocimiento de Créditos de Libre Elección ó Créditos ECTS. Como ya sabéis, este certificado sólo sirve para alumnos de la UCM que estén actualmente realizando estudios universitarios con sistema de créditos. La tramitación del Reconocimiento de Créditos se realizará según las normas de la U.C.M. Para más información, consultar en www.ucm.es/csim/creditos.htm.
Los alumnos que lo deseen, también pueden realizar los exámenes de acreditación de ACLES (Asociación de Centros de Lenguas en la Enseñanza Superior) en los meses de junio, julio y septiembre.
Siempre atentos a vuestras sugerencias y opiniones, recordad nuestra dirección de correo csim@ucm.es.
Un cordial saludo,
EL EQUIPO DIRECTIVO DEL CSIM

Course books 2014-15


Please make sure you use the correct ISBN as these books have been updated with the changes to the 2015 FCE exam.


Pre FCE        Objective First   (2015 exam)        St Bk     9788483236918
                             (4th ed)                                     Wk bk    9788483236833


A1-C2 Explained

Not sure what your level really means? This link will answer your doubts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_European_Framework_of_Reference_for_Languages

Monday, 6 October 2014

FCE Practice


WELCOME TO PRE-FCE

You're now preparing for the First Certificate English exam. In the link below you'll find example activities based on the exam itself. These practice tests are a great way to become familiar with the format of the exam, and the kind of tasks you'll be asked to complete. Flo-jo not only asks the question, but also gives helpful advice, and provides the answer so you can check your progress.

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/fce-2015.htm