British Council at D'Amico Shipping Level B2

Lesson 1

Class
1. Goal Setting - Starting a New Course
http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/84924628/Things%20To%20Think%20About%20When%20Starting%20A%20New%20Course
2. To BEC or not to BEC? See links below.
3. Discussion - Language Learning and Tests
Compare and contrast your experiences learning Italian and learning English

• What do your remember about your classes at school? 
• How was writing taught at school?
• What is different about studying a language as an adult?
• Do you think it is important to learn language terminology (e.g. the names of tenses)? When studying your own language? When studying a foreign language?
• What should be the main aim of a language test?

References
Nicky Morgan is the U.K.’s Secretary of State for Education
Key Stage 2 refers to the national curriculum for school years 3 - 6 in England in Wales (7 to 11 year olds)
Spag = spelling, punctuation and grammar

Vocabulary
to keep in mind - remember
to stack up - accumulate
to turn up - appear
to bring in - introduce
trick question - deliberately misleading question
essay

Reading
What are Michael Rosen’s criticisms of the test? Do you agree?
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/nov/03/morgan-grammar-test-right-answer-spag-english-spelling-punctuation-grammar?CMP=fb_gu

Corrections
depends from on
sorry for the late I'm late

Homework
1. Take a look at the test discussed in the article. Do you agree with the comments made by Michael Rosen?
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/439299/Sample_ks2_EnglishGPS_paper1_questions.pdf
2. Which Exam is for me?
BEC Vantage B2 level
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/business-certificates/business-vantage/
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/business-certificates/business-vantage/exam-format
BEC Higher C1 Level
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/business-certificates/business-higher/
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/business-certificates/business-higher/exam-format

How long is a Cambridge Certificate valid for? See: http://www.cambridgeesol-bern.ch/PDF/LanguageAbility.pdf Fees for the computer based Vantage exam in 2015 are €225.00.