Can we do exams? Yes we can!

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

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

3. Yes we can! Professional Development

4. 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 Professional Development

5. 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! Professional Development

6. Reasons students don’t do well in exams Not enough revision or revised the wrong things Missed answering part of the question Ran out of time in exam Got too stressed in the exam and froze Misread the question Didn’t answer the question accurately Didn’t write/say enough Professional Development

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

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

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

10. Simple logic Confidence Professional Development

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

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

13. Getting familiar with the exam Professional Development

14. Practise makes perfect! Past papers Professional Development

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

17. Highlight the bananas! 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. Professional Development

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

20. Solutions-speaking Professional Development

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

22. Crib sheets Professional Development

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

24. Reading Professional Development

25. Listening Professional Development

26. Relate it to them Professional Development

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

28. Revision tips Professional Development

29. Revise in a way that suits you Professional Development

30. Revision techniques for visual learners use pictures make mind maps make big colourful posters colour code notes key words on “post-its” Professional Development

31. Example mind map Professional Development

32. Revision techniques for 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 Professional Development

33. Revision techniques for 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 Professional Development

34. In the exam Professional Development

35. To sum up….. Identify why students fear exams Make everything “bite size” Give lots of practise Make lessons fun Build their confidence Professional Development

36. Digital Resources Professional Development

37. It’s their world Professional Development

38. What’s available? Professional Development

39. itools Professional Development

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

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

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

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

48. Words app 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 Professional Development

49. 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 Professional Development

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