Goal n° 2 - Seek Feedback

  I have always welcomed constructive feedback no matter where it came from, because I know I'm faaaar from being perfect and listening to other people's opinion on your work may really help you see yourself through different eyes and use that to improve.
  A while back I had some issues with a challenging student who was very intelligent, but also a bit rough on the edges with me and his classmates. So I decided to sit down and talk to him about how he felt in class and if there was anything I could do or change in the way I conducted my classes to help him feel more motivated and friendlier. I know it's going to be a year long process and achieving this particular goal will depend on both of us, but that conversation helped me think of some new ideas for our classes and I could immediately see a little change in his behaviour.

T2 Be a Chef

 Marshmallow Chocolate Bars - they looked kinda "yukky", but tasted real good!!!!

T3 Speaking Test SOS

  Attention, T3 students!!!
  Next week you're going to have your first PET Speaking Test. And to help you prepare for it, I made you a list of useful sentences, practice websites and videos showing other candidates taking the test. Ready to become an expert? So let's do it! Click on the links and watch the videos.

PART 1- 
  Part 1 lasts about 2-3 minutes. In Part 1 the examiner will ask you questions. These could be about home, work, where you live, what you do, your family, etc.  You do not have to give long answers to these questions. However, you should try to say more than short one or two word answers.

1. Click here to see some of the questions and practise your answers.
2. Video for Part 1  

 

PART 2-

  Part 2 lasts about 2-3 minutes. In Part 2 you have to talk to your partner about a situation which is illustrated on a sheet of paper. Make suggestions and discuss alternatives.

1. Sample of Part 2. 
   
2. Another sample with tips and a chance to record your own participation. Click here.
3. Video for Part 2

PART 3-

  Part 3 of the PET Speaking exam lasts about 3 minutes. The examiner will give you a colour photograph and ask you to talk about it on your own for about 1 minute. 

1. Practise for Part 3 here. 
2. Samples and more practice. Click here. 
3. One more, with examples. Click here. 
4. Video for Part 3 

PART 4-

  Part 4 of the PET Speaking exam lasts about 3 minutes. The examiner will ask you and your partner to talk about something based on the topic in the earlier Part 3 task.

1. Practise for Part 4 here.
2. Video for Part 4

And here are some links with useful phrases and tips for all parts:

1. Slides with all the parts- http://www.slideshare.net/msmary7th/pet-speaking-guide
2. Explanations, samples and phrases- http://writefix.com/?page_id=359
3. Clive's English- http://clivesenglish.blogspot.com.br/2010/04/pet-speaking-exam-practice.html
4. PDF with detailed explanations- http://www.liceogramsciolbia.it/Documenti_scaricabili/Lingua%20inglese/PET_Speaking_Exam_advice_sheet_for_tutorials.pdf
5. Quizzes to practise for the Speaking Test- http://studentweb.usq.edu.au/home/D1222041/html/quizzes.htm

HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL TEST!!!

Mini Chefs in Action

  This morning my favourite J2 girls had the chance to become little chefs! We had the Be a Chef activity and they made a Strawberry Banana Smothie. I explained the recipe, we practised the related vocabulary and then it was their time to work. We decided to spice the recipe up a notch and added vanilla ice cream. It turned out great and they had a blast!!
   We even made a second batch to give the moms!!! So much fun!!! Check out the pictures!

Cute, huh? And here's a small video of them working:

And, of course, the recipe:

Strawberry Banana Smothie

- 1 cup frozen strawberries

- 2 cups orange juice

- 1/2 cup milk

- 1 sliced banana

- 2 table spoons sugar (we used brown, but any sugar will do)

- about 5 table spoons vanilla ice cream (our bright idea!)

Toss everything in a blender, turn it on and that's it! Drink up!!!