20/12

Last class before the break!

We looked at the remaining parts of the sample CAE Speaking Test together and talked about a grammatical detail: the perfect continuous.

Happy Christmas! See ya in 2013!

13/12

Today I talked about the CAE Speaking Test. I have added the PP to Portalen.

Also, we listened to "Fairytale of New York" and used it as a listening exercise. It's not always easy to make out what people sing...

Last but not least, prepare for book circles tomorrow!

7/12

Book circle no 3 was on today's schedule. Also, Caterine asked you to write a short evaluation of her time as a teacher trainee.

I greatly appreciate the work you put into reading this novel; the book discussions are immensely entertaining (I know, teacher's have weird interests).

Have a nice weekend!

6/12

Today I had the pleasure of trying to explain postmodernism to you. Remember that this is only one of many literary criticisms you can use!

I will add the PP that I used to Portalen. If you missed today's class, you should google postmodernism and try to figure out how it can be used to analyse literature.

29/11

Today, Caterine took over and presented the next task: competition entry. This is one of the task types in the CAE.

We will continue writing tomorrow and the texts should be handed in after tomorrow's class. Also, don't forget to prepare for book circles (tomorrow!).

22/11

Today we looked at the planning for our book circles which will begin tomorrow! Be prepared... (see reading instructions).

We also talked about the idiom "by word of mouth" and a pronunciation issue (how do really you pronounce "really"?).

Last but not least you were given time to prepare for book discussions tomorrow. You could also use your time to read the CAE compendia.

15-16/11

Thursday's class contained novel instructions and a lecture on post-colonialism. Make sure you read the reading instructions carefully; our first book circle will take place Friday next week.

Friday's class contained CAE info, work with CAE compendia and novel reading.

9/11

Yesterday, I asked you to write a review on your own (since I was not here). The instructions and an example review can be found in  the CAE compendia (CAE Crash Course and Writing Reference).

Today, we worked with peer-reviewing each other's texts. Also, we looked at some "old" idioms from previous translation exercises and the "new" idiom "to burn rubber" (in the non-naughty sense).

Lastly, we worked with a new translation exercise.

25/10

After today's idioms "beat to the draw/punch" and "to be a big fish/frog in a small pond" we worked with preparations for tomorrow's presentations.

19/10

More summary work. Also, we talked about a few idioms, to "be on target" and to "beat the band" and I gave you a few tips on English pronunciation (watch your i's, t's and d's!).

The comments to your speaking tests can now be found in your grading documents in Google Drive.

18/10

Speaking tests and speech summaries (task three in the US Election theme)!

11/10

Today we started the US election theme... Those not present are divided into groups as follows:

Team Romney
Ellen
Jonatan

Team Obama
Sofia

We talked about what you already new about the candidates ("Who Are the Candidates"-handout), then we watched a few clips about the US form of government (see links in "US election theme part 1 instructions"). Also, we worked with the "Candidate Research Team Handout" (these will be the basis of your presentations week 43).

27/9

Today. we worked with a translation exercise. Also, you prepared speaking "tests". A lot more exciting than it sounds... Your presentations are to be given next Thursday - be prepared. Have a nice weekend!

21/9

More Ricky Gervais today... We read the rest of the text together and looked at each part of the text in turn. What language chunks are there? What is the author trying to say? What strategies does he use? and so on.

AFter that, we worked with a translation exercise.

Also, we talked about British politeness!

13-14/9

CAE info, translation exercise, song lyrics and conversation phrase exercise. Not to mention our first CAE text: an article. A lot of work in only two classes!

My plan is to fill your minds with ways to find idiomatic English expressions everywhere you go, and to give you ideas on how to incorporate them in your own vocabulary.

Your articles should be shared with me in Google Docs today.

6/9

Today we looked at your results on the CAE test. We decided to work a lot on your spelling this year...

After that, we looked at the criteria for the course and tried to decide on assignments that will help you fulfill criteria.

31/8

Today we continued with the prezi on "Learning English". After that, you were given the first assignment of the course: English my English. The instructions can be found at Portalen and on Facebook. Please write in Google Documents and share the document with me. Remember to give your document the name "Englishmyenglishyourname".

You will get 30 minutes on Thursday to complete your texts.

30/8

Today we did the last part of the CAE diagnostic test. Also, I talked about second language learning. I asked you to write down what you think your teacher can do to help you become successful second language learners. Please bring your notes to tomorrow's class.

CAE stands for...

Certificate in Advanced English!

Today, we started off the English 7 course with a bang... Diagnostic test (actually an actual CAE test) which you will take again at the end of the course to see how much you've improved (and what skills you have improved the most).

Welcome back to English class!